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COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 



A FEW 

Rhymes, Songs and Facts 



BY 



J. F. INGRAHAM, Sen 



A hard fisted son of toil 

— Who— 
Has spent fifty-six years of his Hfe 
in factory labor out of sixty-six, 
and is still alive. 



Peahody. Mass., 190S. 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 

Two Copies Received 

DEC 21 \308 

Copyrlgfit entry 

CLASS (K XXc, Mo, 

COPY d. 






Q r- 



COPYRIGHT, 1008 



J. F. INGRAHAM Sen. 



This book is dedicated to all who \ 

possess its afifinity j 

] 

_FOR— '\ 

I am a little half grown leaf, 

And don't know where I'll fall, 1 

Yet a fact I am and not belief, ] 

Should welcome be to all. ^ 



BUDS ANT> LEAVES 



Good Old €$$ex County 



I was bred in Essex County, 

'Mid pulleys, belts and steam. 
And grew up with sturdy workmen, 
O'er the beam ; 

Where they made the toughest leather 

Ever in the country seen. 
In good old Essex county. 
O'er the beam. 

I have seen her factories spreading, 

On the banks of every stream. 
And wealth come in a pouring 
As a dream. 

That gave homes to hardy workmen, 
And with joy their children sing ; 
Through good old Essex county, 
Hear it ring ! 



I have seen her sons grow wealthy, 

And her daughters happy wed, 
I have seen her men for freedom 
Shed their blood; 



Buds and Leaves 



While her growing towns and cities, 

Somehow. prosper in the lead, 

And her history o'er the country 

Will be spread. 

Oh ! I love her dells and brooklets. 

Her hills and fields so green, 
I love her shady woodlands, 
And their streams ; 

I love her rocky coast Hne, 

And her beaches, sandy, fine, 
I love good old Essex county, 
Mother mine. 

Then may fortune's choicest favors, 

On this grand old mother fall. 
May her children live out ever 
What they seem ; 

May her name roll bright with honor, 

May she fly on pleasure's wings 
And forever may this county 
Grow in fame. 



Buds and Leaves 



1 Cove the Rolliitd Sea 



I first saw light beside the sea, 

And played beside its foam, 
And listened to its voice so free. 

Afore I thought to roam. 

Its softest song my nature strung, 
When thundering said, ''Come on," 

To do and dare loud out it rung, 
Oh how I loved its song ! 

The strong salt wind was round me, 

My spirit would be free. 
To seek the fortune left me. 

Upon the waving sea. 

To swing upon its mighty breast. 

Its mysteries try and see, 
And by its breathing lulled to rest. 

On ,wild wave running free ; 

My wayward spirit would not rest, 

I longed my luck to tiy, 
To please dame Fortune I'll do my best, 

I'll do, I'll do or die. 



Buds and Leaves 



Snow Bird 



From Hampshire's snowy hills away, 

A snow-bird flew along, 
And o'er the country took her way 

In flights not very long. 

This bird was strong though very young, 

And stout upon the wing, 
And she flew along among the throng, 

And never thought to sing ; 

T{3 see the how the world goes on 

And in its pleasures share, 
And to try if she could light upon 

The top of Pleasure's stair. 

Oh Mttle did this young bird dream 
Of the world that looked so fair, 

Of the dark and hellish snares unseen, 
And none to say beware. 

Of the many toils of city life. 

And deception's cruel way ; 
Of wrong and right in deadly strife, 

That flourish night and day. 

Of tricks and traps to pull one down 
In a hundred difl'erent forms. 

'i'hat sting fond pleasures soon as born 
Yes, in our very homes. 



Buds and Leaves 



So this little bird like many more, 

who think they ne'er can fall, 
Soon slipped way down to the lowest floor 

With no friends there to call. 



And lay sorely wounded unto death, — 

She felt the awful sound 
Of the dark-winged angel's icy breath 

That wrapped her body round. 



A half grown lily with wounded stem, 
Her growing is all done — 

Lay dozing still in trance or dream, 
For her sun was going down. 



The darkened sorrow of her young heart 

In brooding silence waits 
For the scythe to cut and do its part 

As agreed by all the fates. 



She is dead. Alas, Death's line is passed 

To a cold and stony grave. 
But the lesson taught we should hold fast, 

Though for her fate we grieve. 



And dead alone so far from home 
No friends were near to weep ; 

In a lonely grave by strangers borne, 
To live her dreamless sleep. 



Buds and Leaves 



Defence of Our Parents 



Some say the world grows better 

As our education climbs ; 
And that our morals they are higher 

In these aesthetic times; 

That good goes on increasing ; 

We must be near the best, 
With the truth way, back a-panting 

To keep on with the rest. 

We have deception slyly sneaking, 
While pride has caught the pace, 

With grafting sure improving, 
Behind improvement's face. 

Words change now in their meaning, 
Yet hold the old word fast ; 

And so to me as I've been thinking, 
They mean different than in past. 

If a man now steals a million. 

He's a genius sure to be, 
If it should only be half this bullion 

A sagacious man is he. 

If ten thousand dollars was the steal, 
He is thought to speculate. 

Then make it half if you so feel, 
'Tis embezzlement to date. 



Buds and Leaves 1 1 



To pinch a thousand if by chance, 

A swindler right down flat, 
And if a hundred they'd make him dance. 

For a thief they had him pat. 



Now may the Lord have mercy on 
The man who steals a ham, 

Oh why is he warring on society. 
And he is the man to damn. 



Has brains then gone a rambling? 

Has honesty left the race? 
Has the world grown good in meaning? 

Has virtue cut the pace? 



Does volume's might make crime a right. 

Because it's large and tall? 
Are we getting good' with all our light, 

Because we jail the small? 



Don't we let the weak go down, 
And stand against the wall ? 

But the one who gets the golden crown. 
Seldom gets a fall. 



Oh ! Shame on this childish prattle, 

This wooly, flimsy talk; 
Dead men's bones we only rattle, 

While frauds before us' walk. 



Buds and Leaves 



Then are we better than our fathers? 

Are our. morals much more high? 
Have we more virtue than our mothers? 

Arc we nearer to the sky? 

The better good that we have got, 

Is only chance a weal ; 
For many sayings are only rot, 

And a theft remains a steal. 



music of Old Ocean 

A great wind came up from the sea, 
Straight from the east and came to me ; 
It wrapped me in a cool embrace. 
And fondly kissed me on the face. 

It shook my clothes and tossed my hair. 
And whispered things from over there ; 
It capered, sang and danced around. 
And sighed and sobbed from sky to ground. 

With rushes fierce as a wind storm. 
Then quickly stopped and ran quite calm, 
And then 'twould drone as does the bees, 
Then rest quite still and take it's ease. 

A sudden spring to rant and rave, 
And bellow as if it something craved ; 
A roar, deep-throated with hollow tone, 
As if 'twas sore and would be alone. 



Buds and Leaves 1 3 



With a quavering gasp as ends one's life, 
Or short, low breathing at the end of strife, 
It would slowly end with a plaintive cry, 
Or low, sad wailing, ©r soft drawn sigh. 



It would hum a solo, low and wild, 
Resembling much a wailing child. 
Of solemn sadness it was complete, 
A lonely feeling would o'er me creep. 



It's mimic groans from torture drawn 
Of the greatest anguish ever known ; 
Then a sinking, fainting, dying sound, 
You listen close, no more is found. 



A moving pressure from the sea it came. 
'Tis there, 'tis here, now past, it's gone ; 
An unseen power talks, runs and weeps, 
As across the main and land it sweeps. 



I love its voice in key pitched high, 
I love its pensive tone, its weeping sigh, 
I love its growl and wildest scream, 
I love its mighty power as yet unseen. 



Its hoarsest tribute causes fear. 

Its eolian music charms the ear. 

Its trembling strains of heavenly tones 

Is divinely wrought and knows no bounds. 



Buds and Leaves 



BaDy Don 



^^^ 



The winter's winds were shrill, 

The roads were hard as brick, 
And the frosty air gave one a chill, 

When Baby Don took sick. 

The snow was wasting fast away, 

The barren fields were brown, 
The trees were budding, yet bare and gray, 

When fate took Baby Don. 

But he put up a gallant fight, 

And struggled hard to stay, 
But dark wings won, he took the flight. 

And softly flew away. 

He was a baby large and strong, 

With limbs most sturdy build. 
By nature's laws he should live long, 

And not to sickness yield. 

Why should hard fate so bear me down? 

I cannot but complain ; 
Yet many mothers have lost a son. 

As strong and fair as mine. 

Oh my dear babe you're not alone, 

Your sister's gone before. 
And she will take you to her home, 

Where sickness is no more. 



Buds and Leaves 1 5 



Ceaves 

To love and be loved is our fate 

On every part of the earth, 
And not to love is always to wait 

Till affinity finds out our worth. 
<:^ 

Honesty is much better than wealth, 

For wealth exists but a day, 
But hcnesty strength, ran out to its length 

Brings pleasure to us every day. 

When sorrow is pinching you solid and tight. 
Thoughts of oppression you find ; 

Then stick to the ri^ht and you'll find the light 
That will surely bring ease to )'our mind. 

Be honest and true to the end, 

Your thoughts don't allow thtm to stray, 
Find out the kind, and be ready to bind 

Your fortune when Chance comes your way 

Oh to sit and see the blossoms falling 

From apple trees along the last of May, 

When the birds from tree to tree are calling 
Notes of love in every word they say. 

Uh heavy is the balmy wind with odor, 
As I sit with pleasure drinking in ; 

Of scenes like this there is no other 
That you see along the last of spring. 



Buds and Leaves 



Che 6irl Chat nails my Eye 



I like the sprucy little maid, 

The one with dimpled arm, 
That will wink atid blink, and not nfraid, 

Nor think ii any harm. 

I like the girl who can get and drive 

Thf pu«h and go ahead. 
That acts as though she was a ive, 

Not fossiled, nor half dead. 



1 like the girl that dresses neat. 
With fitting ( lothes and trim, 

And springy stands upon her ft'et, 
Full of fun and vim. 

I like a talker, if she's sharp, 

And has a needle tongue ; 
For I'd rather hear her talk than harp, 

Be she old or young. 

I like the girl with kinky hair, 

And fluffy, in a way, 
' ris the glory of the female fair — 

A maiden's crown they say. 

I like a girl that's pert and plump, 
With a nunner all her own. 

That will not sit as stiff as a stump, 
As if her brain had flown. 



Buds and Leaves 



I like a girl who can cook and eat, 
And stow a good square meal 

Of veg and fish, or good roast meat. 
Then not lay back and squeal. 

I like a girl by nature mild, 

Sweet, yet not too shy, 
As nature simple, yet not a child, 

That would sooner laugh than cry 



Unwritten Caw 



My husband lost, he went away. 

The reason I don't know, 
Though another woman some will say 

Is the cause of my o'erthrow; 

My home is crushed my pleasures gone. 

My hopes have vanished all. 
With my shattered future I'm left alone. 

Oh why, why this fall? 

My husband had my heart and love, 

In him I had all trust. 
For him I worked and planned and strove, 

Now give him up I must. 

I'm told he loves some other one. 

Has gone with her to stay, 
And left his true-wed wife alone. 

And none to say him nay. 



Buds and Leaves 18 



O God of heaven, lo you I cry, 
Let justice come my way ; 

There is" no law I hear them say, 
Naught can I do but pray. 



But there is a law, unwritten law. 

That folks talk much about, 
But where's the line ? Who does it draw 

That has left justice out? 



There's a sacred thing that has no worth, 

'Tis family and it's home, 
'Tis left to strike its way on earth. 

Protection there is none. 



'Tis true that lust our homes destroy. 
And mangl^ hearts within, 

'Tis true proud honor flies away, 
Whene'er the snake crawls in. 



'Tis true our laws are all in vain. 
To break this vile thing's hold. 

Or keep it back and check it's run, 
And so it grows more b-ld. 



Our dearest longing rolled in dirt. 

The bloom of friendship dies, 
hrom love's tenderest thrills we soon must 
part, 

Where gloats this devil's eyes. 



Buds and Leaves 1 9 



O God of virtue, sweet and pure, 
Our praise your just birth-right. 

You teach us patience to endure, 
What we could kill at sight. 



mho Plants to Dk I 

^ I 

A farmer plowed a plot of land i 

To raise a crop for life's demand, j 

With rake and harrow smoothed it down, ■ 

With fertilizer to enrich the ground. i 

He planted then the best of seed, i 

And did all things where there was need ; 

To insure a crop, — fenced it tight, i 

Which men of law say is his right. \ 

The season went with cloud and shine, i 

Of crop, oh no, not the slightest sign. \ 

The farmer, dazed, said with a sigh, j 

"Is it then God's will to strive and die?" i 

Our marriage laws are good and right, 3 

Yet do not fit in life's grand fight, j 

For the grandest people that exist today, I 

Are surely fading away, away. . 

Are we to plant with lavish hand, \ 

The best known seed at earth's command, ] 
And have it die in impoverished land, 

And be the last men of our kind? 1 



Buds and Leaves 20 



01) my Sbould T mourn? 



Oh why should I mourn for my father? 

Oh why mourn for my son? 
Oh why should I mourn for my mother? 

Oh why ? Have they not gone ? 

They can never return to my living, 
They can never have sorrow again, 

Then what good can I do with my mourning, 
They have gone, yes, gone to remain. 

Then how long before we will follow? 

We know that we must go too, 
And we know not the change of tomorrow, 

Or what a week hence may do. 

This notion should be under cover, 
No good can we get from this thing. 

In the future we must turn a leaf over. 

And escape some of sorrow's sharp sting. 

For the sobs of this life they are many, 
From the cradle along to the grave, 

And we should hold to ease if there's any, 
For it fills the soul's greatest crave. 

For the plums of this life are our pleasure, 
Though seldom if ever grow ripe, 

Yet we strive all we can for full measure, 
And sometimes neglect what is right. 



Buds and Leaves 2 1 



Then why should I mourn over nothing ! 

For many, or only a few, 
For they come and go while Fm musing, 

Many other things have I to do. 

We benefit none by our fretting, 
We neither please nor displease, 

But add to the fight we are fighting, 
Instead of fostering our ease. 



nm 1 to Blame? 



^^::y 



There are maids with laughing eyes, 

And some with bonny blue. 
But give me the one that never sighs 

And is forever true. 

There are many known as blondes. 

And brunettes, handsome, too. 
But I think auburn hair and azure eyes 

Is about the thing, don't you? 

Oh yes, I have often pictured one. 
Have seen others do the saiiie, 

But from everyone there was something gone, 
Are you sure I am to blame? 



Buds and Leaves 22 



Unlucky 



^^:^ 



Of my life I think, and my sad fate, 
And look at success in silent hate. 
Why should he have what I have not, 
And leave me naught but rot, rot, rot. 

I worked hard and he worked not, 
He stole from me what I had bought, 

He lives and thrives with joy unsought, 
While pining I with rot, rot, rot. 

I loved the right, he just strode along. 
Yet he's the darling of the throng ; 

While I have worked when cold and hot. 
And all I got was rot, rot, rot. 

Then was he made to be caressed, 
And was I made to be distressed. 

Or did God give him this blessed lot, 
And left me out to rot, rot, rot? 

The heated box screams loud for oil. 
When undergoing heavy toil ; 

So like the box I am tired and hot, 
The oil I got was rot, rot, rot. 

What cause the wrong when things are so ? 

Knowledge should give ail men a show, 
Not give to some what others got. 

And some leave out to rot, rot, rot. 



Buds and Leaves 23 



Cbi$ 6ooa Old Ccatber town 



There is nothing like leather 
And it matters not whether 
'Tis cow hide, horse hide, 
Sheepskin or goat. 

Tune: " Weai'iiig of the Green'"' 



In making good, fine leather 

Peabody proudly holds her own, 
And beats the earth on sheepskins, 

Does this good old leather town. 
Her factories are the very best, 

x^ll who see them quickly own ; 
To make leather tough they have the stuff, 

In this good old leather town. 

You cannot beat her workmen ; 

All things new and straight they're on, 
And do their work like workmen 

In this good old leather town. 
Her bosses, too, are men of brains. 

Right tight, they hold right on. 
And nothing late slips through their pates 

In this good old leather town. 



Buds and Leaves 24 



For the plumping up of leather 

Her tanners are well known, 
For they use both brain and muscle 

In this good old leather town. 
Then here's to her prosperity, 

For she yet will get renown 
And become the hub of the leather trade, 

Sure this good old leather town. 

When wealth she has, secure and fast, 

And no fear of fortune's frown. 
Just sling a tart to the western part 

Of this good old leather town. 
Then, sons of Peabody, tilt your hats. 

For a silvery trail you're on, 
And throw some light on the western part 

Of this good old leather town. 

For sure, you'll never miss it, 

A bit of sugar from your plum, 
And 'twill sweeten up the pippin juice 

In the western part of the town. 
May success attend the tfforts 

Of the citizens, every one. 
Who think at all of tiie welfare 

Of this good old leather town. 

Chorus : 
Then go in, ye solid tanners ; 
You're the envied of them all ; 
You know you're well supported 
By the workman's brawny toil. 
May the honored past, so sturdy, 
With your future, lie along. 
And add luster to the honor 
Of this fine old leather town. 



Buds and Leaves 25 



6ct Vour Ducat In 



Come all you old backsliders 

Who are well soaked in sin, 
Your only chance is the dough dish, 

So slap your ducat in. 

For the devil is a-scouting. 
By chance may pull you in, 

Scoot straight then for the dough dish. 
And slip your ducat in. 

If on the road you meet him, 

And he attempts to pinch your tin. 

Tell him you have seen the dough dish, 
Your ducat lies within. 



Now all you folks who wish 

To keep good and clear from sin. 

Just sneak up to the dough dish, 
And flip your ducat in. 

So take this as a warning, 

A new life do begin, 
And don't forget the dough dish. 

Be sure your ducat's in. 



Buds and Leaves 26 



Taitb 



A poet proved or sere may be, 
One he is, not two or three ; 
Can prove it, yea, you all know how. 
Proof is not one but then and now. 

One is nothing while two is all. 
For there is up, some things fall ; 
Night counts one with day then two. 
Yet to mix them up none can do. 

A bright day proved from a night that's dark. 
The two will prove that they're a part ; 
To count two and two and call it five, 
Is the same to say, "I'm not alive." 

Of doubt lay hold of the largest part, 
WisdoM grows from a doubting heart; 
Faith a sheen of a shadow dim. 
Decays where'er doubt chance to swim. 

Faith, a shiftless son of hopes to be. 
By wisdom scourged as a poisonous tree. 
A truthful part known as two ar.d one. 
Dissolves all faith — let no one shun. 

In dogged silence faith chance success, 
Grows strong and fat on all excess, 
If strong faith sticks, dull knowledge hides, 
Winks at wisdom, small reason rides. 



Buds and Leaves 27 



\ 
'Tis the way of ignorance yet only a thread j 

Shines bright when reason's ahuost dead, 

Holds strong and fast, what we don't know i 

Of wrong or right it makes no show. 

Faith holds its talk in a somber cell, '■ 

And wrecks you either sick or well; I 

iVnd so many colors, who ever saw j 

The different shades of its omniverous maw. ] 

i 

'Twas bred for want, for want 'twill die, ] 

Now don't ask, for none knows why ; 

A make-shift poor as poor can be, 

And gets its growth where none can see ; \ 

'Tis grotesque and blind, dark of heart ; 

Be wise and take its working part. . 



'Ci$ a Girl 

Something new is in the house, 

'Tis a girl. 
Lying quiet as any mouse, 

'Tis a girl. 
It's the best thing for you, too ; 
That is why Fm telling you, 
For tke present it will do, 

'Tis a girl. 



Buds and Leaves 28 



Go tell it far and near, 

'Tis a girl. 
'Twill be welcome, never fear, 

'Tis a girl. 
Let us all be the announcer. 
That the baby is a bouncer, 
A seven pound, eight-ouncer — 

'Tis a girl. 

Now the parents they are grinning, 

'Tis a girl. 
Their hearts with pride are swelling, 

'Tis a girl. 
For they know she'll stand them by. 
Of their pleasure not be shy, 
When the trying moments die, — 

'Tis a girl. 

She may carry on your name, 

'Tis a girl. 
Perhaps to wealth and fame, 

'Tis a girl. 
And a title she may marry, 
No longer she will tarry, 
But bring it home to mammy, 

'Tis a girl. 

Here's to those that marry well, 

If a girl. 
Many things you soon may tell, 

'Tis a girl. 
That from Yankee stock is made, 
A true live Yankee blade — 
Now enough I think I've said. 

When I say girl. 



Buds and Leaves 29 

B Uision 



When the veil of the future went rising, 

My spirit eager to view 
Life's mystery as it is unfolding, 

Weeding the false from the true ; 

From the hilltop I looked o'er the valley, 

I wondered what was beyond, 
To get over my thoughts I did rally, 

To taste of the pleasures I found. 

While musing I painted a picture, 
And how real and vivid it seemed, 

And how perfect was every feature, 

'Tvvas the first bright vision I dreamed. 

In the picture I saw a fair maiden. 

And Helen was never so fair. 
And with flowers this fair one was laden, 

And she beckoned for me to come there. 

Then the mysteries of life broke about me. 

Mountains rolled in my way, 
And visions I dreamed were so many, 

Yet one of them only would stay. 

In the working of fate to get near her, 

I longed for hope to betray, 
And watched for fortune's first favor, 

That so surely seemed drifting my way. 



Buds and Leaves 30 



In visions I saw many maidens, 
The fairest there are of the day, 

Rut none like the one with the flowers, 
That beckoned me over the way. 

Then time brought me near to the garden. 
Where this charming young creature I saw, 

She wis there like an angel from heaven. 
Her picture 1 never could draw. 

The wide-open future spread o'er me. 
With the eyes of a seer I could see ; 

The flowers on this maiden so comely, 
Were elusive, the worst that could be. 

Her nature was trite, gray and wrinkled. 

Her voice discordant and sour 
With deception, her intelligence trinkled, 

Her manner was low-bred with fear. 

I turned with disdain from this person. 
This beauty my vision did show ; 

Decrepit and old without reason, 
Her beauty was spent long ago. 

Then bereft of things we call honor, 

To falsehood she quickly dropped down. 

And this vision I saw sweet as honey, 
Was bitterly put under ground. 



Buds and Leaves 3 1 



Cell tbe truth 



^Cy 



Tell the truth for what it's worth ; 
Is there a better known on earth? 
To help one live and hold good health 
And gain and save pleasure's strength? 

Tell the truth you must always dare, 
In home and street, do it everywhere ; 
To strangers, friends, neighbors, all, 
Stand by your word you'll never fall. 

Tell the truth, 'tis the best you give. 
Let all men know that is how you live ; 
To a moral man it will help him try. 
And bring solid comfort without a sigh. 

Tell the truth, 'twill come back to you, 
And help you on in what you do ; 
'Twill gather wealth and bring you gold, 
And in your efforts make you bold. 

Tell the truth, God loves it well. 
And loves the ones who truth will tell ; 
With unseen help will push you on. 
And shield you from the curse of men. 

Tell the truth you will honor show 
To God if He who all things know, 
It tells what there is and it's extent, 
And no deceit with what is meant. 



Buds and Leaves 32 



Tell the truth and all shall know 
You back your word where'er you go, 
Like a rock you stand in falsehood's way, 
And hold deceiving sneaks at bay. 



Tell the truth, what is there more 
In man or woman to adore ! 
It's all there is in human life 
Worth the trouble in this great strife. 



Tell the truth, content you'll feel. 
You have said it all with naught to conceal. 
You have said straight, ne'er change the way. 
It will last till earth shall pass away. 

Tell the truth, then folks will say, 
There stands one in steel array, 
With armor bright, and in the fight 
To stay and do what God calls right. 



Tell the truth and you're nearer God, 
Tell the truth and down with fraud, 
'I'ell-the I ruth, folks will you love. 
Tell the truth, 'tis from above. 



Buds and Leaves 33 



Sayings 



Stand strong and bold for what you own, 

Don't turn or give an inch, 
Strike back, strike strong, if need be long, 

For your own, no never flinch. 
^> 
Knowledge a load so easy to tote, 

And one you don't have to feed; 
Surely when sinking 'twill keep you afloat, 

And always a friend in your need. 

Now don't believe the half you hear, 

Nor always what you see, 
But hear and see all things with care, 

If not you'll not be free. 

If a man should say you're a lying skin, 

And be it crooked or straight, 
Don't you use slang oi chin with him, 

It matters not his weight. 

Not for a dollar break from a friend, 
They are worth many doll irs I'm sure, 

But give way and fend, twist round and bend, 
Pleasure and wealth you'll secure. 



Buds and Leaves 34 



J1 Caapok 

A tadpole sat on a rock to dry, 

While a dragon fly looked on, 
Then a bull frog croaked and jumped close by, 

And the fly with a grin flew on. 

This tadpole's skin began to crack, 

And a fish came up to see ; 
Then a big white duck with a quack, quack, 
quack, 

Poor tadpole— where was he? 

A mosquito strode to a house one night, 

l.ooked sad and sorrowful in, 
And laughed with pleasure that he had the 
right 

On a bald head to begin. 

With a quivering wing he did begin 

His song to raise on bigh. 
And plunged right in and boK d in the chin, 

And the sleeper blacked his eye. 

A grasshopper crawled to a fence top rail, 

To pick his teeth in peace. 
And to scoff and laugh at a cricket's tail 

That was walking beneath the fence. 



Buds and Leaves 35 



But a crow flew by in air quite high, 
For a rest he thought he'd try ; 

The fat grasshopper that sat on the rail, 
Disappeared in the wink of an eye. 

A great big fly, fat and sly. 

Went buzzing round one day, 
And tickled a toad back of his tail, — 

A very foolish thing for the fly. 
The toad sat still with a twinkling eye, 

For a thoughtful toad was he. 
Like lightning, quick he did the trick. 

The fly you could not see. 



C;ourtind by tbe River 

Air : ''Banks of the RosesJ" 



On the banks of the river, \ 

Where I carelessly strayed. 
While the young moon in glory ! 

Shone like silver o'er my head. 
And I wandered on with pleasure, 

And soon I overheard "j 

Ayoung couple who were courting by the river. .] 



Buds and Leaves 36 



"If your parents do not like me," 

I heard the young man say. 
''Will you consent to be my bride, 

And with your parents stay. 
Till my good ship returns again, 

From o'er the stormy sea. 
And your Johnnie he will then 

Give up his roving?" 



Oh, far out upon the foam. 

Where the dark green billows roam, 
Sailing on the ocean blue. 

So far away from home, 
With a sad and troubled mind. 

For the girl he left behind, 
When he left her by the river,deep in sorrow. 



On the banks of that river. 

On a lovely eve in June, 
This young man and maiden 

On a grassy bank sit down. 
And he told her many tales. 

And of love he talked along, 
Saying we will surely wed here in the morning. 



Near that river there's a dell, 

Where first fair Flora fell. 
Sprinkling lovely flowers around. 

And on both banks they fell, 
Where httle birds were singing, 

And in loving voices call. 
Saying "Johnnie, dear Johnnie is no^oving." 



Buds and Leaves 37 



Cucky Days of th( ^Ueck. 



^^ 



Sunday is si blessed day, 

For rest we should it keep, 
Yet murders more there are this day. 

Than any day of the week. 

On Monday, and I beheve it true, 

There is no day we meet. 
That commerce lose so much by fire. 

As the second day of the. week. 

Tuesday is a medium chance ; 

A day for anything, 
For luck it is astride the fence — 

A kind of a go-between. 

Wednesday is a lucky day, 

For sages have it so, 
To start anything you like to do, j 

Or on a journey go. j 

\ 

Thursday is a shipwreck day, 1 

Sad losses on the sea ; ] 

Old Neptune sure will have his way, 

From which God dehver me. j 

] 
Friday is a day so black 

The railroad people say, 
There is more harm done on the track, J 

TIjaii any other day. \ 



Buds and Leaves 38 



For flood destruction so 'tis blamed, 

Saturday holds the palm, 
For then we have had the greatest floods, 

That have done the greatest harm. 



to my Cove, 



Had I the might of evolving light, 

With aurora's speed to rove, 
I'd make the nights of my love so bright, 

'Till a saint she went above. 



Had I the gems of the orient. 
And the pearls of Ceylon's Isle, 

I'd adorn my love in any event. 
For the winning of one smile. 



Had I Flora's room of blossom and bloom. 

And her dell of living green, 
I'd with bud and flower fill that room — 

My love would be its queen. 

Had I a part of Cupid's art, 

And Pactolus' golden sand, 
I'd spear a part of my love's heart, 

Gold change it to my hand. 



Buds and Leaves 39 ^ 



l)onor m Old. 

Oh treat old age with honor, 

For Hving through aright, 
Oh treat old age with honor, 

For winning such a fight. 

And with respect STlute it, 

For its battles are all o'er, 
And its life has gone behind it, 

So it will fight no more. 

With attention listen to its tales. 

Although it does repeat. 
For it has faced the roughest gales. 

In life there is to meet. 

It has wrestled fate with fortune's smile. 
And seen the strong go down ; 

And struggled hard for a long while. 
To get and keep its own. 

Pains and sorrow it has borne. 

Disappointments sharp and keen ; 

And rocky beds have oft been thrown ; 
And bitter trials seen. 



Have beat old time with scythe so sharp ; 

And breasted valnish ways ; 
And drove old death with his funeral harp ; 

And rounded full its davs. 



Buds and Leaves 40 



It has met the liars in every way, 

Have seen them go to rot ; 
xAnd downed deception's darkest, ray, 

And sickness well have fought. 

It has kept old nature's common law, 
In all things done the best, 

Between health and pleasure forced a draw- 
As victor now will rest. 

Give honor then to whom it's due, 

'Tis triumph's honest pay ; 
And give what you want given to you, — 

Let mules and asses bray. 



Blooming Bud$ of Cyttit. 

^^ 

I am a rugged, rough old feller. 
And seen some, and been seen ; 

Have slid the country over. 
To Lynn have just blown in. 

'Tis here the prettiest girls I've met. 
As I take their beauty in. 

They dress so styHsh, nice and neat, 
They're blooming buds of Lynn. 



Buds and Leaves 41 



But there is one, a golden blonde, 

So lively, fair and clean, 
And of me she is so very fond. 

This blooming bud of Lynn. 

In height she's neither short nor tall, 

Nor stubbed, fat nor lean ; 
But in beauty she's a head o'er all, 

And a blooming bud of Lynn. 

Her's is the sweetest, kittenish art, 

So very seldom seen ; 
And she tied herself fast to my heart, 

This blooming bud of Lynn. 

With pouting, dewy, carmine lips, 
Her smile, a winning sheen, — 

Her very boots none can eclipse ; 
She's a blooming bud of Lynn. 

Her eyes and hair, none can compare, 
With a dainty, dimpled chin ; 

Among the flowers there's none so fair, 
As this blooming bud of Lynn. 

Oh my ! To see her graceful stride. 
When on my arm a dream ; 

She looks so grand with so much pride — 
Uh she's a bud all right of Lynn. 



Buds and Leaves 42 



So I'm happy in my own, odd way, 

I ask for nothing more, 
I mind not weaUh to go or stay, 

I have what I adore. 

The rose may bloom with fragrance sweet. 
Near the hly's spotless white. 

And pinkish odors you may meet. 
On the dewy sheen of night. 

The waving grass with graceful bend. 
Toward where the flowerets grow, 

'Mid purrings from the soft south wind. 
That drones so sweet and low. 

Oh, yes, you may enjoy them all. 

For beauty has it's fling ; 
But give to me is all my call. 

My blooming bud of Lynn. 



B Great Ulrong. 

When the harvest moon hung low and red, 
And summer's heat had near all fled, 
The season's work about all past, 
And rest, sweet rest had come at last. 

Two honest men of good repute, 
Whose life works lay in different route, 
Thought it right, just and good, 
To hold a fair to show their food. 



Buds and Leaves 43 



Each built a stand wrought of stone, 
For boards and timber there was none ; 
They built them high, wide and rough. 
With room a-plenty to hold enough. 

So they could show off what they had, 
Be it good and nice, poor or bad ; 
When all was ready they named a day. 
To show their food in its best way. 

Now one of these men plowed the soil, 
And planted seed by sweat and toil, 
Of plants, and grain, and things to eat. 
Till another harvest he should meet. 

And so he picked the best he had, 
Packed high his stand above his head 
Of garden sauce, fruit, corn and rye. 
And all nice stuff, ripe and dry. 

And to make them better if that could be, 
He thought to bake them, then he'd see 
If it made them eat a better food, — 
For potatoes raw are not so good. 

So he baked them well through and through. 
The different kinds he had to show. 
And the baking food smelt good and strong. 
It spread up and down the way along. 



Buds and Leaves 44 



The other men bred sheep and goats, 
And hved anywhere where grass was most, 
To feed his herd and make them fat, 
So it mattered not where he was at. 

So he took the best lambs from his flocks, 
The best goats picked from among the rocks. 
And dressed them very nice and clean. 
Then packed them so they could be seen. 

Upon the stand so high and rough. 

Until he thought he had enough, 

And to make it wholesome good and sweet, 

He thought he'd roast this pile of meat. 

So he roasted with a slow, hot fire. 
And to watch it close he'd never tire. 
So the odors of roasting lamb and goat 
Was around and in the air afloat. 

Now the power great smelt roasting meat, 
As it grew nigh these men to greet. 
And to view the show on these stands, 
And to give the best, his best commends. 

It viewed both stands,, pronounced both 

good. 
As each and all was most excellent food, 
And words of praise it gave to both. 
For their work and skill in bringing forth. 



Buds and Leaves 45 



But to the man with the lamb well done, 
It praised and blessed him as the one 
That pleased him most with the odor of lamb, 
While the other stood still as if struck dumb. 

And stood, and stood, and could not speak, 

While bitter tears ran down his cheek, 

And thought how blind the power must be 

For the potatoes baked and lamb, you see. 

The two together they build, the man 

According to this great power's plan, 

Vet this great power blessed this man of 

flocks. 
And roasted goat picked from the rocks. 

Now the man who baked his fruits from toil, 
Was wounded, yes, to his very soul. 
And thought this power had not done wise, 
To slight his work before his eyes. 

Now these two men at talk began, 
From talk to anger soon it ran, 
And anger soon led on to strife. 
And they struggled hard as if for life. 

But the plowman's strength was tough as 

steel, 
With ease he made the herdsman yield, 
And in the struggle bore him to the earth, 
And the shepherd's body lost all its breath. 



Buds and Leaves 46 



''Oh God," he said, "What have I done. 
Killed my brother here alone, 
Because the Master said his was best, 
He and his sheep be forever blest? 

"While I my fruit it was as good, 
Yet he forever cursed me where I stood, 
So I am marked forever without end. 
Still, I knew not I did offend. 

"While my brother knew not he had caught 
Eternal life by all so eager sought : 
I was damned for what I did not know, 
And ever a criminal where'er I go." 

Now reader, stop and think a bit, 
For this story true as bible writ. 
Of these two men and of their end. 
Who to condemn or who commend. 

They both were honest, upright and fair, 
To live they both worked in their sphere ; 
Yet neither thought much of the trend, 
Be it a righteous bend or a damning end. 

And who can you blame for this sad afifair? 
Not the men who fought as they fought fair, 
Each did his best it was his all. 
For life and honor, be it great or small. 



Buds and Leaves 47 



And so came murder in the land, 
Marked millions coming with bloody hand : 
Are the men at fault? is there any stain 
Left on the children of the man called Cain ? 



Cbougbts. 

Dive in, drive on, keep pushing ahead. 
Better die on the road than soaking in bed. 
Slop short when asked to do a wrong ; 
Don't haggle, don't waggle, but cut the 
whole yarn. 

Screw up your courage to give a stout No, 
Never be convinced in what you don't know. 
If blue you feel, why whistle and sing, 
On Time's swift wing your whole self fling ; 
Get lost in thoughts and the blues will go, 
Just where and when you'll never know. 

Curb your ambition, don't grasp for all. 
Lest fickle fortune give you a fall ; 
Be brave and steady, reach out for more. 
And your chance is good for a golden store. 

Keep an eye to your fun while it's on, 
For pleasure is all that we have ; 
Hug it close, for away it may run. 
If away, you seldom can save. 

And always live with wide open eyes. 
And ears cocked ready to watch, 
To see all the colors, and hear all the flies. 
Of the reason, the wh)s and the which. 



Buds and Leaves 48 



Cbe Co$$ oT Sealer noribern Star. 



From the northeast blew a bitter blast, 

With snow and sleet on land ; 
With hurricane force drove along the coast, 

So fierce, 'gainst none could stand. 

The snow flew thick as a cotton veil, 

In squalls it tore along, 
And filled the air with screams and wails. 

From its hoarse, wild roaring song. 

A field ot ice jammed hard the shore, 

And spread way off to lee ; 
And ground, and ground with smothered 
snore. 

By the wave-tossed Arctic sea. 

Between the squalls way in the mist, 

A wreck blew into view. 
Crushed and torn, nor stood a mast. 

Covered with sleet and snow. 

'Twas daring death this storm to brave ; 

Boats could do no good, 
For on waving ice floes none could save. 

And all was left to God. 

Three awful days the storm held on 
With the winds continuous roar, 

And many men from the wreck went do vn 
In their struggles to reach the shore, 



Buds and Leaves 49 



Their horrid pains no one will tell, ' 
When help first reached the wreck ; 

Each frozen stiff just where they fell, 
With nine below the deck. 

From Fortune Bay they sailed away, 

With eighteen men so strong, 
On a sealing cruise in the Arctic sj^ra}-. 

And Baffin's Bay along. 

The glittering pole-star's Arctic glare, 

As it on the ice floes shone. 
Came cold and pitiless through the air. 

Where 'lis ice and snow alon-e. 

They are sleei)ing sound in their icy graves, 
Near that cold storm-beaten shore. 

While the northeast winds their requiem 
raves. 
But they fear its sound no more. 



imrabuman Deea$, 



Of infrahuman deeds few have sung, 

That from earth's rich crust wealth have rung 

For imperious man to get and hoard, 

So with his neighbors he would be a lord. 

The wild she-wolf has got her charms. 

For she nursed the twins without mother's 

arms : 
She (ed, and fostered, and gave a home 
To the origin of imperial Rome. 



Buds and Leaves 50 



When savage men well ribbed with steel, 
O'er the walls of Rome began to steal, 
The fates decreed the city to save 
By a garrulous gander's loudest rave. 

There was no king on the Persian throne, 
And the sceptre from them might be torn, 
But by the passion of a stallion hot, 
A king by night was quickly brought. 

Arsenical wealth was here unknown, 
'Till a bossy brindle, gained renown, 
To drink enough and get her fill. 
So she died beside an arsenic well. 

In the fire king's mighty hiss and flame, 
Was a city burned well known to fame. 
For Chicago's fire was easy lit 
By a cow that kicked a lamp o'er set. 

A noble ram laid down and died. 

And of Colorado he was the pride ; 

He left a secret which was odd enough. 

Of the pingua plant to make rubber tough. 

In Lunenburg pool there bathed a pig, 
The first to have a monumental rig ; 
He was first to find the medicinal worth 
These waters have when fresh from earth. 

These things were done, and helped to swell 
The blessings that to us have fell ; 
And not sing their praise and give them fame. 
We at least can call them by their name. 



Buds and Leaves ^ ' 



Each in its way helped the human race 
A victory gained in time of peace 
By beings dumb yet sure of eye, 
Without ambition, conceit or he. 



Pertnc$$. 



Be natural and sometimes briUiant, 
Be quick and sometimes sharp, 

Be always gentle and be pliant. 
On flatness, never harp. 



<:> 



On the stormy road of life. 

Always take an umbrella 
To shield you from life's bitter strife, 

And in danger for a shelter. 



^c> 



Always be thoughtful, 

Always alert. 
Always use judgment 

Never desert. 



^c:> 



Oh give me the girhsh girl, 

One with a girlish voice. 
That ever makes my heart go whirl, 

With never a sign of choice. 



Buds and Leaves 52 



Plenty Dew 



^rb. 



Oh yes, the earth has plenty dew, 
Enough, no doubt, for me and you, 

And trouble, too, enough galore, 
On earth now and long before. 



This dewy nectar of success 

Whose mouldy leaves we often kiss, 
We crave it but for an hour, 

Even if it turns an acid sour. 



We sometimes love, 'tis but a sheen 

Of passions paint, the cause unseen ; 
We toil for what we do not know. 

And smile and smirk as if to show 
'I'hat fortune's dew-drop fell on us, 

And so we strut while others curse ; 
We strain to grasp and get first hold, 

And oust the other not so bold. 



We think of naught but how we gain. 

And call it dew though some are slain. 
Yet in righteous horror hold up our hands 

If some other fool should break com- 
mands ; 
Get all we can, nor care the source, 

Success is king and, so, of course 
We rub our hands with childish glee, 

No thought for either vou or me. 



Buds and Leaves 53 



Our thoughts grow hardened as we go 

To get the harvest, let others sow ; 
We think we have hfe down pat, 

Child or man, where'er we're at ; 
We do not stop to reason best, 

Life is short, can't stop to rest. 
So drive ahead, do not let up, 

This dewy sheen we must sup. 



To be along wedged in the van. 
No one cares the style of clan ; 

We must be smart, we must lead, 

To the devil with others, let them bleed 



The greed of wealth, love of power, 
To get one or both we all endure 

The cruel pains of toil ground in, 
Blasted hope and blood-red sin. 



Man, woman, boy, all who choose, 

Drive to win, life, health tliey lose. 
Cheap indeed if they smell this dew. 

Sure was pinched from me and you. 
But I forgot there is relief 

In what some call true belief; 
But this belief does not save sin 

When we start out this dew to win. 



Just one thing we want to get. 

And what we do is without regret 

All things to us are but a tool, 
Except a few grasped by fools. 



Buds and Leaves 54 



We disregard wise sayings all, 

And that is why we sometimes fall, 
Dismayed, discouraged, not a bit, 

It only sharpens up our wit ; 
Just what the stone does to the blade, 

Get sharp and ready for another raid. 
To cut and stab, open, rip. 

Others' pleasures from heel to lip. 

To get this dew no other intent, 
No harm to any person meant ; 

But so it is that we crave most, 
Toil and labor to others' cost. 

The reason, ah ! That is another thing, 

Why we are pirates on the wing. 
And rob our brother big and small 

Of this dew God made for all. 
In time 'twould scatter all around. 

But we must get it at a bound ; 
In church we pray, on street we steal, 

If we succeed 'tis a glorious feel. 



H Russian 6itl'$ Camcnt. 

With embracing kiss we tore apart, 
A haunted look was in his eyes. 

Blind fortune, cruel, hard and dark, 

"Come back, come back," my heart it 
cries. 

"Goodby," the words near choked him, 

As he passed outside tue gate, 
A last goodby, and God forgive them 

That crave us this hard fate. 



Buds and Leaves 55 



He went out with a sorrowing heart, 

Sweet hope I freely gave, 
To soothe the pain of his burning smart, 

Whose cure hes in the grave. 

I watched this brave soul struggle on, 
A mite in this ocean of strife, 

A Siberian exile to die far from home : 
Oh God in heaven, what a life. 

'Tis past, he's gone, with him my heart, 
Its grave, his honest breast ; 

And I pray God may take me now, 
And then I'll be at rest. 

From pain and sorrow, misery felt. 

For him I loved so well. 
When I think on this his gloomy fate, 

'Tis worse, far worse than hell. 

In Siberian wilds and Arctic clime, 
With criminals, dark and grim, 

To wear out life as an ox as dumb, 
With shaking, fraying limbs. 

To slave, and suffer, and try to please 

Little father on his throne. 
While high nobihty are at their ease, 

My love, he starves alone. 



Buds and Leaves ' 56 



n Tight Tor Cife. 



He gripped me hard around the back, 
With strength that nearly made it crack ; 
A twist and wrench I twirled him round, 
And did my best to hurl him down. 

But no, our strength was near a match, 
We gripped wherever we could catch, 
So back and forth and round about, 
With hard drawn breath we held on stout. 

With now and then down on one knee, 
In our desperate struggle to get free : 
To catch a trip and get a fall, 
Tiien hurl one another from the wall. 

The rust-red spikes like spears up turned, 
Stood one hundred feet, at least, from ground 
To save us from an awful fall, 
A plumb dead drop from top of wall. 

My arms at times grew very weak ; 
My legs went trembling down to my feet; 
My lij)S went dry, my throat burned hot ; 
I thought I'd drop down on the spot. 

Breath hot as steam hissed from my lips, 
I felt as if my heart would split ; 
Ah ! a slip and stumble, and nearly fell, 
And he gripped me tight and tried to yell 



Buds and Leaves 57 



With jerk and twist around we went, 
Both stout on legs, though nearly spent, 
A second rest to get our wind, 
Again he gripped me like a fiend. 

He caught me firm about the neck, 
And did his best my spine to break, 
Just like two bucks, horns locked fast, 
Both being spent, yet both held fast. 

While froth and blood flecked mouth and 

eye. 
Resolved to die without a sigh ; 
So on it went this weakening fight. 
Without one thought of wrong or right. 

Or how to answer if either died, 
Or if it was murder. — how could we hide? 
Bui my thought to conquer smothered all. 
As we tried to force each other from the 
wall. 

Things that begin must have an end. 
No matter where or how they trend ; 
Be it for good or bad, or neither one, 
To die it must, for it was begun. 

So this madilian's hand my throat held fast. 
My resisting power seemed going fast, 
The blood in waves flowed to my brain, 
My eyes aflame with the awful strain. 

It seemed as if my head would burst. 
And my throat was swollen with driest thirst ; 
I thought it sure my end was near, 
And yet I faced it without fear. 



Buds and Leaves 58 



Hope seldom yields while life holds fast, 
And it sticks as close as the last gasp, 
So hope's gallant thrill flashed me through. 
As near the wall's edge close we drew. 

Then with a will born of despair, 
I tried to grasp him by the hair, 
And with a weakly, childish rush, 
This madman o'er the wall did push. 

Oh ! God of heaven, you stood me by, 
You saw my fight, you heard my cry, 
For limb and life with all my might 
To live the cause, — was I not right ? 



On a Sunaay Afternoon, 



^^> 



The summer's softest days are here. 

The city glows with bloom, 
And you can see her neat attire. 

On a Sunday afternoon. 

From Union street to the salty sands, 

A mile or more of room. 
Where the rarest blooms with blossoms trend. 

On a Sunday afternoon. 

There's the brunette rich, the blonde so 
fair, 

And silvered grace and groom ; 
The golden glint and nut-brown hair, 

On a Sunday afternoon. 



Buds and Leaves 59 



There's the man and babe, the boy and maid, 

After dinner just as soon, 
They start away to enjoy the day. 

On a Sunday afternoon. 



Upon the cool, moist sands they meet, 
Some people without plume. 

That smiling greet on noiseless feet, 
On a Sunday afternoon. 



'Tis here they catch a breathing spell, 
Though to the eyes unknown. 

That will help them eat their supper well. 
On a Sunday afternoon. 



There are lads and lasses both well groomed, 

With now and then a queen. 
And they wander on these sands and ground. 

On a Sunday afternoon. 



Their lungs they bathe from the creamy wave, 

As the restless tide creeps on, 
And with pleasures crave, their health help 
save. 

On a Sunday afternon. 



Then oh, for this lively scene. 
That people love to reach. 

And see old ocean in a dream. 
On Lynn's most lovely beach. 



Buds and Leaves 60 



Zm Cilics, Ulbitc, in Cynn. 



In Lynn there live two bonny girls, 

With webs of fun to spin, 
With ribbon bows and hair in curls, 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 

Laughing, romping, gay and free. 

Sharp as any pin, 
Pretty and witty as you see. 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 

Hats of white, and hearts as light. 

Dashing, yet no sin, 
Teasing, squeezing, yet so bright. 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 

They are so catching, yes, bewitching, 

When they begin their din, 
We all fall to a line in watching, 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 

One a blonde, the other brunette. 

One waiting for the ring, 
One more short than other in build. 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 

Oh man ! They are two bonny maids 

As ever there were seen. 
When on the street t-hey make their raids. 

Two lilies, white, in Lynn. 



Buds and Leaves "' 



Oh had I youth, was not uncouth, 

To catch one I'd begin, 
To tease them both to tell the truth, 

Two liUes, white, in Lynn. 

And who don't like two lovely girls. 

Who seems slow to begin ? 
With roguish fun, give the lads a run, 

Two lihes, white, in Lynn. 

Ah ! Dull and cold must be the man, 
Who does not love the young, 

Or at least, the lass whene'er she pass, 
With a sharp and witty tongue? 



f icKle fates. 



There are numerous forces working, | 

In silent strong array, i 

That form our ways in living, 

And help us here to stay. j 



There is something hid directing. 

And kidding us along. 
By signs that seem as nothing, 

Yet iron like as strong. 

Conditions form in darkness, 
In a thousand different ways. 

That make us good or godless, 
Make long or short our days. 



Buds and Leaves 62 



While chance helps make our sorrow, 
Though it never with us stay, 

For it comes and goes, a shadow. 
And always has its way. 

So we stumble on in darkness, 
With gropings strange and wild. 

To reach that state called happiness. 
As the moon comes to the child. 

We plan, and fix, and so arrange 
To make things come our v^ay, 

And think it very odd and strange, 
At slip-ups every day. 

But looking nature in the face. 

You cannot go astray. 
For matter is always changing place, — 

She does it every day. 

' Tis up today, tomorrow down. 

And hustled round about, 
But if we look sharp when we're thrown. 

The reason soon find out. 

For the good today is tomorrow bad. 

On earth as we see things. 
And we sigh for things we never had. 

And things life seldom brings. 

Then make the most of what you get. 

Don't borrow nature's store, 
For sure you'll never beat her pet, 

And you'll pay it o'er and o'er. 



Buds and Leaves 63 



We must watch for badding changes, 
Embracing when it's straight, 

For on them our fortune hinges, 
And Hstening sharp must wait. 



Cbe 6irl ZUt malks Cike the men. 

I am Httle and thin, and have much to win. 
Of courage I ahvays commend. 

Yet I shiver and shake, and otherwise quake. 
At the girl that walks like the men. 

With a square, swinging twist one cannot 
resist, 

And shoulders thrown back like a man. 
With a step that is wide, away she will slide. 

The girl that walks like the men. 

With clothes cut as tight as a flatbug can 
bite. 

Thread straining hard to expand, 
She stalks straight by as flip as a fly. 

The girl that walks like the men. 

With heels driven hard, advance don't re- 
tard. 
Shakes out all the noise that she can. 

Then straight as a rush, she goes on with 

a gush, 
The girl that walks like the men. 



Buds and Leaves 64 



She'll jump, hop and skip with a stern upper 
lip, 
Her gait like a man will defend ; 
Her dance at a glance would give one the 
trance, 
The girl that walks like the men. 

She'll bet on a game if there's no other 
flame 
To engage her just there and then, 
She will twist the liger's tail if her purse goes 
to fail, 
The girl that walks like the men. 

When in want of better clothes, to the tailor 
she goes 
With her chest swelling out like a ham, 
Then she'll throw you a glance that cuts like 
a lance, 
The girl that walks like the men. 

She is brilliant and bright, about always 
right. 
Like a lady and not like a fen. 
But fight shy of her nook or you'll surely be 
took. 
By the girl that walks like the men. 

She's courageous to hold, a tiger cat bold, 
A square toed ambler and then. 

Is ojnniverous on the street by chance you 
her meet. 
The girl who walks like the men. 



Buds and Leaves 2l 



She's a girl up-to-date with a frowsy big pate, 
Flat-footed, high heeled on the swing; 

She.s able and willing,her price not a shilling, 
The girl that walks like the men. 

A bird not in plenty, pocket not empty, 
When a rambler she starts on the flmg, 

With a side-step so neat, she'll pass you with 
vim, 
The girl that walks hke the men. 



n Weak flower. 



The oak can breast the north wind, 

The pine sings in the breeze, 
But there is a little floweret, 

t:ver growing neath the trees ; 
And a great big dew drop struck it, 

And smote it so it cried, 
And its tender frond grew ruffled, 

And it ran away to hide. 

I knew a heart that always yearned 

For soft snaps don't you see, 
And as easy piqued and ruffled 

As the flowers bentath the tree ; 
And because it could not get the lore 

Whene'er it looked for fun 
It sniffled, ruffled and grew sour, 

And thought itself undone. 



Buds and Leaves 66 

Cbe Octan Ulben It's Calm. 

I love to watch the ocean when it's dreaming, 
And the gentle, moaning of its glassy tides ; 

Sitting by its side my brain with wonder fills, 
At the gigantic power its placid bosom 
hides. 

Tranquil it appears and content, 

It wants not for anything, I can see, 

A monarch in its might, neither wrong nor 
right. 
Resting so peaceful happy and so free. 

There are mysteries deep and many that 
surround it. 
That its mighty breast securely keeps and 
guards ; 
It has kept them since the earth began its 
journey, 
And will keep them until the human 
1 eing it hides. 

Many poets sing the glories of its beauty, 
Of the superstition that does it surround. 

Of its stupendous depth and eternal, easy 
motion, 
'Tis a circle wilh neither start nor end. 



Buds and Leaves 67 



Almighty is the power that binds it down, 

And bridles so man can ride at will ; 
Yet never by a harness has it yet been 
broken, 
The second enemy that man cannot 
control. 



From pole to pole with ceaseless roll, 
And currents strange to see, 

From east to west and no?rtb and south, 
Running round the earth so free. 



'Tis dark, 'tis deep, 'tis green, 'tis blue, 

'Tis yellow and steel, too, 
It gives us clouds and showers of rain, 

And floods that kill us too. 



Tis mother, 'tis father of things that live. 
And carrier to things that grow, 

Tis rough, 'tis smooth, and easily moves, 
No matter wherever you go. 



'Tis savage, 'tis mild, 'tis tame and wild. 

And runs Hke a horse let go ; 
'Tis quiet, 'tis still like the pond of a mill 

'Tis glass when the wind don't blow. 

,Tis soft, 'tis hard, 'tis rank in the mouth, 

'Tis salt, 'tis bitter and sweet, 
'Tis brass in the sun and silver in the moon, 

'Tis ink in the absence of light. 



Buds and Leaves 68 

Difference In Clfe. 

^:> 

Many people thrive and flourish, 

Without regard to right, 
And all the good things one could wish 

Comes to them at sight. 

While others struggle with might and main 

To get a litde mite, 
And think it glorious and never vain 

To get but half their right. 

Some are natural who to doose. 

And get but half a bite 
Of anytning they never choose, 

And never make a fight. 

Some poor souls, they have to fight 

Morning, noon and night, 
Some fight for bread, and some for life, 

'Tis fight, fight, fight. 

'Tis one continuous living fight. 

From cradle way to grave, 
For home, for children, health and light, 

With never a one to save. 

And so we struggle while we live. 

And fight with all we meet. 
On sea, on land, where'er we stand. 

In factory, store and street. 



Buds and Leaves 69 



J\ Dream 



In my chair I was resting so easy, 

My thous;hts running wild as a stream, 

Of the past, the present and future. 
And they seemed to be only a dream. 

The shps I had made in my striving, 
How foolish they now to me seem. 

And of the oddness I did in my living, 
For now they're naught bui a dream. 

To my side there floated a maiden, 

The fairest I ever had seen. 
Threw her arms around my neck so loving, — 

But it could be only a dream. 

'Gainst the wolf we struggled together. 
And happy the household within, 

And the devil he could not entrap her. 
To break this sweet loving home. 

'Twas a bond I thought none could sever. 
That nothing could e'er come between, 

"For true love," 'tis said, "lasts forever," 
But this was only a dream. 

We breasted life's stream to its fountain. 
And saw it was narrow and thin, 

Then the silk cord between us grew rotten, 
And I knew 'twas only a dream. 



Buds and Leaves 70 



So she drifted away on her passion, 
Of trail she left not a gleam ; 

And I lost her in time's rolling ocean, 
For, of course, 'twas only a dream. 

I will mourn o'er her loss forever, 
For now she is only a sheen. 

For so happy was I to possess her. 
But alas ! It was only a dream. 

Now I wonder how fickle is fortune. 
As I drift lonely along life's stream ; 

Away to future's dark curtain, 
Away, away in a dream. 



SMtt'SCt. 



The sun was falling out of sight. 

From a dark and cloudy sky, 
The passing day was taking flight 

In the arms of night to die. 

The snow with crimson flashes shone. 

Reflecting back the shade 
That streamed through breaking clouds 
aflame. 

With a witching, paling red. 

With lavender, dark and smoky white, 

And mingling shades in one, 
Flanked with purple deep and light. 

With a soft and paling shine. 



Buds and Leaves 71 



Long bright streaks of strawy gold, 

Laced with pinkish bows, 
As Aurora shone in her chariot old, 

When she brought the morning glows. 

Hill on hill of somber gray, 

With tops of burning red. 
And flashing shades as water spray. 

As the vail on others spread. 

While way beyond this brilliant scene 

Were streaks of ethereal blue, 
With the shading rich of orange green, 

Seen through a bronzy hue. 

While a brilliant gauze of pale old gold 

Mingled filled the west, 
Soft and still, yet bright and bold. 

As the sun went down to rest. 

Filled in the dome arched o'er head 
Were clouds both great and small, 

Their ragged edges blushing red 
As a curtain over all. 

Slow and silent sank the sun, 

The colors fading fast. 
With softening sheen the night has won. 

For the sun has gone to rest. 

From brilliant tints to a faintisl") pink. 

Twilight covers all 
While the cloudy banks turned black as ink, 

As the shades of darkness fell. 



Buds and Leaves 72 



Doomed to Die. 

Hours and hours I've spent in thought, 
Of ancient men and how they wrought 
To preserve their health, wealth and form 
'Gainst hidden worms and death's cold storm. 

'Twas midnight, silence, weird and chill, 

I sat thinking alone and still ; 

Scenes pass by as in a scroll, 

That comes to those burning midnight- oil. 

Man after man in real form 
Trailed slowly past me as they moved along. 
Each turned his head and looked me o'er. 
As a curious thing they ne'er saw before. 

These men were large, of sturdy build, 
With faces that to no man yield ; 
Stout of limb, deep of chest 
Who face the Di'el, a wrong contest. 

Then came one man more stern than all. 
Very stout and very tall, 
He stopped and faced, and eyed me through, 
Then with inquirv asked me if I knew 

That we were the last of our race known, 
We who did our all for children's home, 
'Gainst ocean's might and savage beast, 
Where wild men fought our fortunes cast. 



Buds and Leaves 73 



Where now have all our people gone?- 
In ground, in sea, or in air flown? 
For we planted well 'gainst beast Mnd flood, 
With sweat of toil from our best blood. 

Ah! our sons where are they? Have we 

none ? 
Our daughters strangled before half grown? 
By whom, when, where were these deeds done ? 
Tell us man, don't sit there dumb. 

Human blood should not be spilt ; 
On the right one we'll fix the guilt, 
To destroy our young before they cry 
Is a cruel deed, who can deny. 

The lowest woim that squirms the land 
To defend its seed will make a stand, 
Its life will fling to defend its young, 
'Gainst all creation if so flung. 

Yet you the lords of land so said, 

With knowledge stored in your great heads* 

Who kill your seed just as life starts, 

Have ice-cold blood and unnatural hearts. 

From hell it came, 'tis a hellish sin, 
'Tis the crime of crimes and a bitter thing, 
'Gainst all known laws of God and man, 
It destroys our homes, our name and clan. 



Buds and Leaves 74 



This giant stopped and eyed me bard, 
Then said, "Write this down as would some 

bard, 
Go spread it broad, way o'er the land, 
This curse must stop, 'tis God's command. 

"For it is a cruel, festering sore, 
The more we think the more deplore, 
This God-cursed, smothering, damning sin, 
That murders life as life begins. 

"xAnd this beauty land is given o'er 
To dark-browed men from a foreign shore. 
With all its wealth and golden store. 
Way 'cross the land to the other door. 

"The laws we nursed and guarded well, 
Will go now where our sons they fell, 
To time's disused and darkening hall. 
With the blasted hopes of our fathers all." 

He stopped and turned and strode me past, 
As the others die, yet he passed last. 
Then with whisper low as a wailing cry, 
"Alas ! Alas ! Are we doomed to die?" 

In shadowy waves they melted by, 

With silence deep, not e'er a sigh. 

They came, they went, and yet were here, 

Have been with their God this many a year, 



Buds and Leaves 75 



Che Kettle That maks the Cea. 

{Cold, wet and hungry one night, waiting 
for supper.^ 

Oh I love the song of the kettle, 

The kettle that makes the tea ; 
My stomach soon got on its mettle, 

For the kettle sang tea, tea, tea. 

You may tell about pleasure in dancing, 

Or running an old singing bee. 
But bosh, there is nothing more winning 

Than the tune of the kettle to me. 

My appetite grows keener and keener, 

With the table I'll soon agree. 
Just now tnere is nothing much dearer 

Than the sound of the tea kettle's glee. 

When all in with labor and hunger, 

With everything I disagree, 
And I cannot hold back any l®nger. 

For the kettle is singing for me. 

They tell of the sirens low waiting, 
And Aeolis who sings o'er the sea. 

Rut for me the kettle's sweet singing, 
That makes me a good cup of tea. 



Buds and Leaves 76 



mhatm^s Cannot Be no\v* 

In times of old so I've been told 
By young and wise, and those grown old, 
That things were made and so controlled, 
That anything new none could behold. 

For it is said, now do not run, 
"There is nothing new under the sun," 
So people thought in wonder lost, 
That all things we have lived in the past. 

Now only think they should think so wild, 
The men, the women, the old, the child. 
For almost everything we see, 
Never was, nor never could it be. 

Now think, and think, watch what I say, 
If I tell the truth let it with you stay, 
For all the powers, that is what we know, 
Time, cold, heat and water flow. 

Combined, their power naught can resist. 
They move in unison and without rest, 
They war on forms that we see grow. 
On solid matter no touch bestow. 

They make and unmake all shapes known, 
From sifted master wherever thrown. 
They bring together and so make form. 
Animals, trees, thought and song. 



Buds and Leaves 11 



By capillaries road up they grow, 
The how, the way, wc all should know, 
By vacuum's strength the trees grow tall. 
As all oiher ferns both great and small. 

All shapes we see are strange and new, 
They never before on this earth grew, 
And never again will they come here, 
And if you doubt it why just compare. 

The days, the nights, the months, the year, 
Not any like them did ever appear; 
If you doubt this story why prove it true. 
See history books enough for you. 



So don't believe, but deal in facts, 
For all things on earth have left their tracks. 
True and accurate they tell their tale. 
Let believers read, then raise their wail. 



Then shed old beliefs as you do your clothes. 
When the great Creator truth before you 

throws, 
•'None are so blind as those who will not 

see," 
Like mules and asses who are never free. 



Now I've told my story straight and good, 
'Twill be light to some, to others wood, 
But thinking minds of old and youth, 
I hope will understand the truth. 



Buds and Leaves 78 



Elites To Our gbiWreii. 



Sleep on in peace and quietness. 

Who would disturb you rest 
In the deepest vault of silence, 

Where we both believe you're blest. 

Oblivion may soon claim your name, 

Like many in the past, 
But in your rest you lose no fame, 

And your trouble is all past. 

In one eternal night of sleep, 
Where time does not grow old. 

With an infant weep in mother's keep, 
God's arms around you fold. 



Eove of Rome, 



We may forget our neighbors, 

We may forget a friend. 
We may forget a giver. 

We may forget their end. 

We may forget a favor, 

We may forget a hurt. 
We may forget a lover, 

We may forget a flirt. 

But we'll ne'er forget the roof tree, 
No matter where we roam ; 

And ne'er forget our parents dear, 
In the good old loving home. 



Buds and Leaves 79 



^m me Co Bodks? 

We know we are here by senses five, 
To eat and sleep, perhaps to thrive, 
But how and why we do not know, 
No more the end nor where we go. 

We move as flies with pain and joy. 
By hidden springs as in a toy ; 
Unknown to us what we will do, 
Our path with nonsense thick we strew. 

The power that made us some must know, 
To make it great, mystery round it throw 
The darkest, smallest thread light make. 
More sure it seems we must it take. 

Somehow human thoughts run most this way, 
With half grown beliefs not touched by light 

of day, 
Nursing thousands and thousands of unborn 

fears, 
That father misery and bitter tears. 

Unknown to parents we came here. 
Two bodies in one they make it appear, 
And stranger still 'tis beyond belief. 
That one should pain for the others relief. 

One body thinks and makes the other pain. 
Be it true or false they make not it plain ; 
Our flesh works hard then pines away, 
The other lives somewhere forever and a 
day. 



Buds and Leaves 80 



This ether body I cannot see, 
I cannot hear nor smell where it be ; 
I cannot feel nor taste its make, 
Yet my knowledge, all, I from these Ave 
take. 

Our bodies full of sores not sought, 
^Contains another that does not rot. 
Now the way, the how, where from, what 

place, 
This body came that looks through our face? 

Does it eat and grow the same as we, 
Or is it thin so made we cannot see? 
Does it think and feel, get sick and well, 
As we know we do our five senses tell? 

If our bodies burn and cause great pain. 
Does the other not suffer or where is it 

then ? 
Our bodies burn out, to ashes gone, 
Then where has the spirit or light-body 

flown ? 

If the fires of earth hurt our spirits not 

much. 
Should cur spirits much fear hell's l)rimstone 

to touch? 
So to wound poor souls with a brimstone 

fire, 
Needs a different make than what is made 

here. 

These things I got from honest thought. 
To learn all I can, so live as I ought. 



Buds and Leaves 81 

Do not Wear a m. 

Tune: ^^ Bridget Donahue'' 



Oh we live in a time of notions, 

And crotchets have their way, 
And fancy governs all things now. 

And changes every day. 
Of laws we have so many 

We don't know where we are at. 
So jog along, either right or wrong, 

And do not wear a hat. 



Young fellers now wear shirt waists, 
With cob webs in their pates, 

They hang their hats across their necks 
So their brains can circulate. 

With suspenders some are tackled, 

With front hair in a mat, 

Then run along either right or wrong, 
If you do not wear a hat. 



Oh trousers now are turn-ups, 

While colors are turn downs, 
And there's no use for parson-ups. 

For on marriage there are frowns. 
So we'll squeeze well up together. 

And freeze fast to the bat. 
And slide along either right or wiorc 

If you do not wear a hat. 



Buds and Leaves 82 



For we live in the twentieth century, 

With all things screwed to date, 
With lightning skip the country, 

And fly from state to state. 
With autos we kill distance. 

For bikes they have gone flat, 
So we'll tear along either right or wrong, 

If you do not wear a hat. 



Oh then swing your hands in walking, 

And roll your sleeves way back, 
And stand as straight as a puncheon. 

If your back it does not crack ; 
Then strike out 'tis the fashion, 

And never once look back, 
And swing along either right or wrong, 

If you do not wear a hat. 



So let them bile and sizzle, 

For our belts will stop a bust, 
Of the road we'll take the middle, 

And the phone girl shall not rust. 
Then throw the throttle open. 

The curves we take so pat ; 
So tear along either right or wrong. 

If you do not wear a hat, 



Buds and Leaves 83 



market Street. Cynn. 



If a pretty sight you wish to see, 

One just full of bloom, 
Stroll Market street with manner free, 

On a Saturday afternoon. 

You see buds a bursting into bloom, 

Dressed nice, neat and gay. 
And showing well how Lynn girls groom, 

When on the street astray. 

Large and tall, and some quite small. 

Mediums, too, you meet. 
With a lady movement seen in all, 

Graceful, fine and neat. 

Blondes there are, with faces fair. 

As any lilies seen. 
Flax white hair hard to compare, 

With a glint of golden sheen. 

You see brunettes with teeth as fair. 

Yes, as the falling snow, 
And bright eyes sparkle with a light 

That bends Dan Cupid's bow. 

There's that pretty one with auburn hair, 

She is a beauty born, 
With as fine a form as any there, 

She queens it all along. 



Buds and Leaves 84 



See over there with nut-brown hair, 
And eyes of bewitching blue, 

Whose velvet tread is light as air, 
A blossom through and through. 

In the wavering of this shifting haze, 
The beauty pride of Lynn, 

One stands in maze and steady gaze, 
At the comeliness here seen. 

The matured graces too are here. 

Moving in the throng, 
With silver-sprinkled shining hair. 

Majestic, cool and strong. 

I love to walk along this street. 
And watch the changing scene. 

As up and down with feathery feet, 
A flickering, steady stream. 

And in and out, and round about, 

And yet no end of room. 
To note the people who stroll out 

On a Saturday afternoon. 



Jit! Jlcquaintance. 

Tune: ''Bells of Shandonr 



In a famous city I met a lady, 

The peer of all women that I know. 

She was so bewitching when first I saw her, 
A magic net she soon o'er me threw. 



Buds and Leaves 85 



She was tall and handsome, her manner 
winsome, 

Her voice the same as waters flow, 
Her eyes, pale amber, I will remember, 

This lady fair forever more. 



Fond ties are breaking by blind mistaking, 
Love's tenderest rootlets under foot they 
lay. 
While cold relentless fortune in darkness 
groping, 
In parting us on that fatal day. 



In time's quick rolling are strangest scenes 
growing. 
New hopes are springing as the old ones 
die. 
Yet the past is teeming with tendrils 
streaming, 
Of this lady's love that is toru from me. 

Take this I give you, just as a token, 
That sometimes you will think of me. 

Think of the days we have spent together, 
When the sky was blue on love's unity. 



Ch07'US. 

Now, goodbye darling at this our parting, 
I'll never forget you where'er I go ; 

My heart is swelling with memories bringing 
The happy hours spent by me and you. 



Buds and Leaves 86 



T II never gome Back flny more. 



From the cottage I strayed in deep medita- 
tion, 

On life's inhospitable shore, 
To wander forever in time's great creation, 

For I'll never come back any more. 

In muse I ponder 'mid the world's great 
wonder, 

How sorrow repeats o'er and o'er. 
And how it will end this future we are under. 

For I will never come back any more. 

I struggle through life most smothered in 
strife. 
With a heel-trodden heart that is sore; 
And a dark, fickle future I could cut with a 
knife. 
For I'll never come back any more. 

World's glory and splendor I'd freely sur- 
render, 
And the wealth that its people adore ; 
To peep through the vail that the future is 
under^ 
'Cause I'll never come back any more. 

Great visions are rolling and around me 
revolving, 

With a closed and fast-bolted door, 
Of where I will go, and why I am living, 

For I'll never come back any more. 



Buds and Leaves 87 



nm Cang Syne. 



Should the tender leaves of friendship dry, 
And lie withered on the ground, 

We'll lament and sigh with a tear-wet eye, 
For this swv^etest human bond. 

True love and friendship hsve grown gra} , 

As life they are as old, 
They have taught the darkest hearts to pray, 

And left them bright as gold. 

Friendship renew 'twixt me and you, 
And we will ever keep it green. 

Of gold we'll throw, let friendship grow, 
'J'is the sweetening of life's dream. 

Then heart to heart and hand to hand, 

In an open, manly way, 
'Twill stronger bind our kindred bond. 

And bring it home to stay. 

When seas and years between us roll, 
With 'membrance faint and gray. 

Our hearts will ever to you stroll. 
Should you torever stay. 

C/iorus. 

Then should old acquaintance be forgot 

Or round our hearts entwine? 
In memory's cot, what e'er our lot. 

Here's love for auld lang syne 



Buds and Leaves 88 



Dark Days. 

O God what anguish wronged my heart, 
When T found another had taken my part, — 
My wife, my all, I loved so well. 
It plunged me deep in darkest hell, 

It made me dumb with wild despair. 
It changed my mind beyond repair ; 
Things that I liked I sore abused, 
Of things I loved I had no use. 

A horrid feeling took my mind, 

A wolfish thirst against mankind. 

My senses reeled, they could not see, — 

God, from life I would be free. 

Bright hopes were crushed, then faded out, 

1 was blind to reason there is no doubt; 
I sought the God to take my life. 

For all things went when did my wife. 

Of such a sorrow how can I tell. 
Where'er I went 'twas naught but hell. 
No rest or pleasure I could enjoy. 
All things appeared a worn-out toy. 

Ambition, pride, both leaked away, 
I, easy angered, had I not my way, 
My spirit sank, I near went astray, 
Had not dumb Nature bid me stay. 



Buds and Leaves 89 



My habits old, I cursed most bold, 
For they made me ready to be controlled ; 
I was fruit the best, I hear you say, 
Now for my slackness I must pay. 

And so they plucked me and had their way 
Night and morning, almost every day ; 
With lies they thought they had me bound. 
Yet I broke these lies without a sound. 

The bright gleam of truth broke o'er my 

mind, 
The sudden rush near made me blind; 
I was here and there with just a bound, 
Alas ! the proof was easy found. 

In corners dark and holes round about, 
Where one could hide and then peek out. 
Privy, barn, woodshed and house. 
In a place near small to hold a mouse. 

I know not how long they met this way, 
Nor the time that she first went astray. 
But all such crimes will have their day, 
Till nature brings the time to pay. 

Now all things known must have an end, 
No matter up or down the trend. 
And crime will sure to justice bend. 
As time the crudest wrong will mend. 

As the frightened bird from danger flies. 
And the timid rabbit through fear cries. 
So I for life and honor fled, — 
Left love and pleasure, cold and dead. 



Buds and Leaves 90 



Between jealous burns and honor seared, 
Left those I loved but now I feared, 
I cut the place that to me turned hell, 
For lies and lust had come to dwell. 

And so I'm bereft of ties so dear. 
And compelled by honor my home to fear ; 
Thus God allows from day to day. 
While Justice slowly plods her way. 

Now old and older, fast I grow, 
Will soon before my Maker go ; 
And if we meet and each other know, 
These things I've said will at her throw. 



mbere Jin l)ottc$t man 1$ Tounl 



There's a cockatrice whistling up a tree, 
While the crickets are fiddling on the 
ground, 
The}^ are calling, calling, calling not for what 
they see. 
But to find where an honest man is found. 

The fire bugs are hunting here and there. 
And the bull frogs have a hoarse and sul- 
len sound ; 
There's a beetle called a gianl staring every- 
where 
To see where an honest man is found. 



Buds and Leaves 



The soft south wind is whispering in the ear, 
And inquiring of the leaves all around, 

While night hawks in the air are hunting far 
and near. 
The place where an honest man is found. 

The moon began to climb throwing shadows 
far behind. 

While the man looked serene and profound. 
In silence tried to find anything of the kind 

Of a place where an honest man is found. 



Then with a sorrowful grunt the moon gave 
up the hunt, 
And old" Sol came peeping, squinting 
round. 
But behind a cloud he hid his face saying, 

"Is there any place 
On earth where an honest man is found?" 



There are cops and lawyers seeking, and 
solemn judges peeking, 
Even sparrows they are hunting with a 
hound. 

And the fire bugs with lantern help the mos- 
quito hoard a hunting 

For the place where an honest man is found. 



Buds and Leaves 92 



Pessimistic, 

Life's rough road in passing o'er, 
And remembering what we pay, 

We le^rn much of human manner 

And of what the people think and say. 

Not that the truth is always told, 
Or people know the truth to tell ; 

Some guess and think, some not so bold 
The truth or other things to tell. 

'Tis said creation is a failure, 

And life's burdens are a bore, 
That natural man is born a fraud, 

And women both fraud and bore. 

Beauty of itself is a deception, 

And strong love known as a disease ; 

Marriage is a mark of destruction, 
And a wife a sure cure of ease. 

A child is termed a nuisance pride. 
Good is a hypocrite and sublime ; 

To be evil, "so 'tis said, is to be detected, 
Wisdom is self to selfishness combine. 

To be happy is an overgrown delusion, 
And friendship is a humbug, pure and 
simple ; 
Generosity in practice is imbecility, an il- 
lusion, 
For monev is the monarch of all. 



Buds and Leaves 93 



J\ Glance at the Ocean, 

To hear its gentle whispering on the shingle, 
With Boreas sweetly sleeping by the way, 

Its voice in the rote, completely mingles ; 
'Tis music to some that think that way. 

But when Boreas starts out on a frolic, 
Comes pushing strongly from the north, 

Then can you see its superhuman power, 
By its snarling with a white and foamy 
mouth. 

There can be no human safety in its way, 
No power on earth against it dare ; 

It will ruin human works as easy 

As a^spider's web humanity can tear. 

'Tis treacherous and deceitful every day, 
It blinds the sharpest eyes that can be 
found, 
'Tis freakish, unsettled, inconsistent in its 
way. 
And the token of its mission floods the 
ground. 

It is supreme in the roughest, savage life, 
Just the wildest that there is to be seen ; 

To see the shore in its battle for existence 
'Gainst the power of its great and mighty 
arm. 

'Tis a monster, 

'Tis a lamb, 
'Tis a mystery 

And a ram. 



Buds and Leaves 94 



make friends. 

^^ 

Are you lusty, well and strong? 

Make friends. 
Just to keep your health along,— 

Make friends. 
They will help you to act kind, 
Be a governor to your mind, 
And good morals help you find, 

Make friends. 

Are you sick in any way? 

Make friends. 
They will nurse you as you lay ; 

Make friends. 
They will try to get you well. 
Kind sayings to you tell, 
As if a fortune to you fell, — 

Make friends. 

When with hfe you are content, 

Make friends ; 
For content is only lent, 

Make friends. 
For it oftimes flits away, 
When you cannot make it stay, 
Then friendship sure will pay, 

Make friends. 



Buds and Leaves 95 



They're the best things known on earth,- 

Make friends. 
There is no limit to their worth. 

Make friends. 
They're the bluebirds of life's spring, 
Joy and pleasure to ns bring 
As around our hearts they wing, 

Make friends. 

Get friends though not with gold, — 

Make friends. 
For a friend of gold don't hold. 

Make friends ; 
But with virtue make them sure, 
To the grave they will endure. 
Your life they will keep pure, 

Make friends. 



€upid. 

When Flora weaves her mantle. 
And Aeolis sings his song. 

And Zephyrus starts his whistle, 
And Boreas catches on. 

Then Dan Cupid goes a hunting. 
Armed with his bow and dart. 

Drops on the unsuspecting. 
And stings them in the heart. 



Buds and Leaves 96 



Jam Dew. 

Tune: "To Be a Farmer's Boy.^^ 



Come all young men who are not afraid 

Of this truth I'm teUing you, 
Oh never do you wed with one who's head 

Has been bathed in the foggy dew. 

They will cry, and deny, and almost die 

To make you believe it's true, 
And do such things that will make you sigh 

To bathe in the foggy dew. 

They will lie and steal, -jnd on you squeal, 
And oh, how they'll roast you ; 

Your hair they'll tear, and make you swear 
And curse on this foggy dew. 

They will sneak and creep, and at you peep, 

Yet always keep from view ; 
They will squirm so sly 'twill block your eye, 

And get out in the foggy dew. 

They will make excuse that's of no use. 

And will bother me and you ; 
They will pat your hair, and then declare 

They think nothing of the foggy dew. 

If you want to prove it false or true, 
And know it through and through. 

You hang about as they sail out 
To bathe in the foggy dew. 



Buds and Leaves 97 



For I courted my love for forty years, 

And always believed her true, 
Till she fell one night in the milk boy's arms 

And got bathed in the foggy dew. 

Chorus. 

Then never trust this silvery sheen, 

You will rue it if you do, 
And never wed with one whose head 

Has been bathed in the foggy dew. 



fl Song of freedom. 

We have a bird though seldom heard, 

With courage too extreme, 
That from Atlantic's shore to the golden door 

His stamping ground to scream. 

You should see him fly way in the sky, 

Majestic and serene. 
On pinions strong, botli broad and long, 

Before he goes to scream. 

With a plumage brown, and a bald head 
crown, 

In his eye the devil's dream ; 
He will view the sun, a beam ne'er shun, 

And then you'll hear his scream. 

He's a long-headed seer without any peer, 

'Mong birds he is supreme. 
From the right will fight all> things in sight, 

Then yell his conquering scream. 



Buds and Leaves 98 



Old England, too, had enough to do. 

For she this bird has seen, 
On bloody fields she had to yield. 

Whene'er she heard him scream. 

Spain and France, he made them dance. 

And kick the righteous beam. 
For treacherous thought they fought for 

naught. 
Oh Lord, how he did scream. 

To Mexico this bird would go, 

Texas to redeem. 
From actual fright they took to flight, 

And that at his wild scream. 

Repubhc Rome was once his home 

By Tiber's bloody stream, 
But he flew away to America, 

And now we hear him scream. 

Of birds the king, when on the wing, 

The world has often seen ; 
This gallant lad, old Glory's dad, 

The bird that's got the scream. 

There's a little thug with ugly mug, 

Of course 'tis but a dream, 
For it's Yankee pluck he's got to buck. 

And hear this bird's wild scream. 

In July he gives a mighty fly, 

With flashing powder's sheen, 
And the nation all with tin not shy 

Swells his marvelous scream. 



Buds and Leaves ^^ 



Keep Cool. 

^> 

If you fiiui your going to worry, 

Keep cool. 
Nerve is lost by heated flurry, 

Keep cool. 
We get twisted so I'm told, 
For we make ourselves so bold, 
Our bite we cannot hold. 
Keep cool. 

If wild things you have heard, 

Keep cool. 
Don't let them turn your head, 

Keep cool. 
For nerve is very apt to win 
If your chance is not too thin, 
When you go ahead with vim, 

Keep cool. 

Have your schemes thought out and planned, 

Keep cool. 
Barring accident, you'll land, 

Keep cool. 
For hot heads bust out wild 
With acts near like a child, 
When they should be just so mild. 

Keep cool. 



Buds and Leaves 100 



If your girl should sift away. 

Keep cool. 
Perhaps better go than stay, 

Keep cool. 
Do not make yourself a jay, 
Nor tear around and bray, 
But smile and say, *'0. K ! " 
Keep cool. 



Should fortune slip you by. 

Keep cool. 
There are other times to try, 

Keep cool. 
Every nibble don't mean push. 
Nor kind words fill your dish, 
Or bring ducats at your wish. 
Keep cool. 



Your time will come with chance. 
Keep cool. 

Be just ready with your lance, 
Keep cool. 

When the way is good and clear. 

You should jump in without fear. 

And for honor drive your spear, 
Keep cool. 



Buds and Leaves 



n Tull Blown Rose of Cvnit. 

Tune : " Way Down in Old Virginia^ 



Oh, way down beside the sea foam, 

One night in early June, 
There fashion, pride and beauty loves to 
roam. 
There I met a dainty damsel as ever there 
was seen, 
She's the sweetest full blown rose there is 
in Lynn. 

She was tall, straight and handsome, 

Her waist was neat and slim, 
Her manner full of girlish, witching fun ; 
And she walked so light and airy, graceful 
as a queen, 
She's the sweetest full blown rose there is in 
Lynn. 

Oh her eyes were bright and shining 

Like satin's softest sheen, 
While the carmine on her lovely face did 
cling ; 
And her teeth would pale white ivory, and 
her hair the raven's wing, — 
She's the sweetest full blown rose there is in 
Lynn. 



Buds and Leaves 102 



Then I wish that you were looking 

As she floated by that night, 
Like Aurora she was hunting for her dawn ; 
And she stole my heart and pleasure, and 
left me here alone, — 
She's the sweetest full-blown rose there is in 
Lynn. 

When the stars they go a rolling. 

And the sobbing waves sing fine, 
When Lynn's beauties stray for pleasure in 
the gloam, 
I will find this lovely fair one that stole 
this heart of mine, 
For she's the sweetest full blown rose there 
is in Lynn. 



n Cost Cove. 

I loved her well and truly, 

She absorbed my being all. 
And she left me, ah so coldly. 

At crime's enticing call. 

I thought her equal ne'er could be, 

And her virtue could not die. 
And forever the same she would be to me. 

And never pass me by. 

I thought she loved me best of all, 

With a lasting love so true. 
Then when sorrows came she would not fail. 

In life-storms love me through. 



Buds and Leaves 1 03 



I thought her beauty was all mine, 
And her caresses were sincere ; 

That she thought no more of other men, 
Than she made it to appear. 



I thought to God she would be true, 
And her marriage vows sustain, 

And I thought her an angel through and 
through, — 
No wonder I complain. 



But in her false and frivolous heart, 
There lurks the devil's dream, 

The tenderest bonds she'd break apart, 
Her passions black to screen. 



Treacherous, false, elusive being. 
Truth fled when she was born, 

And spotless honor got a sting, 
When she was young and strong. 



Hell's glory rests upon her deeds. 
With desire her soul aflame ; 

Deception follows where'er she leads. 
Forever to her shame. 



Debauchery blooms along her path. 
And sorrow sings with glee, 

Her bloodshot eyes and filed breath, 
Tells of the midnight spree. 



Buds and Leaves 104 



n Summer morning. 

While loitering out one morning, 
In summer when 'twas young, 

To look the scenery over, 

And hear the wild birds sing ; 

The air was clear and healthful, 
The bees were buzzing round, 

The butterflies were seesawing 
From bush to flowers and ground. 

In the tropic robes of summer, 
The ground was neatly dressed, 

With shrubbery ornaments, 
And looking at her best. 

No cloud could see to mar the light, 

The sky was silky blue, 
All things were bright and glistening, 

Shone with a golden hue. 

The sun was glinting through the trees, 
And lay quavering on the ground 

In crazy spots of brass and gold, 
And scattered all around. 

A soft south wind was coming. 
And whispering with the leaves. 

And trying to kiss the odorous flowers, 
That were covered up with bees. 



Buds and Leaves 105 



The tall, green grass was waving 
In a willowy, graceful way, 

While the bushes were softly talking,- 
Perhaps to show the way. 

The air was wet with odors. 
From many plants combined, 

A pleasing, sweet aroma 
You nowhere else can find. 

The little birds were singing 
The sweetest of bird songs, 

With thrilling notes that filled the air, 
And made the green woods ring. 

I paused in admiration, 

Bound to drink in my fill 
Of the music made by little birds, 

Who sang with such good will. 






You are the sweetest little bee 

In the town, 
Just as handsome as any picture, 

In the town. 
Were I a drone upon the wing. 
On your hive I'd stop to sing, 
For it could not be a sin, 

In the town. 



Buds and Leaves 1 06 



J\ ebange. 



When somber thoughts my head filled full, 

And dark, dark was the day, 
When all I had from me had fled, 

And under foot it lay ; 

I was lonesome, sad, down-hearted, 

Dark fancies filled my brain, 
Since from those I loved had parted, 

And should not meet again. 

When like a pleasant vision bright, 

There broke across my way, 
A woman who well knew the right, 

And showed me where it lay. 

She smiled and bid me tarry. 

In a soft and womanish way. 
With a smiling face so merry. 

That said, "Come in and stay." 

'"Come rest awhile from worry, 

And chat a while with me, 
Let the world go on with its hurry. 

More happy you will be." 

Ah, yes, she told me rightly. 

And it drove my pain awa}-, 
Of my trouble I thought lighllyj. 

While listening to her say. 



Bads and Leaves 107 



She talked just like a woman, 

And with a woman's wit, 
While the blood her cheeks were running, 

Her looks I'll ne'er forget. 

She was healthy, stout and blooming, 

Her glance did me beguile, 
With her gray eyes on me beaming, 

And on her lips a smile. 

She was gracious, she was charming, 

Her voice was soft and low, 
With a cadence, oh so winning. 

As she sometimes said, "I know," 

There are those with youthful beauty. 

With midnight eyes and blue, 
With a bright and dashing manner, 

But believe, for I say true. 

That 1 would rather have this woman, 
With her rugged arms so stout. 

Locked in with health not common, 
That we hear so much about, 

Than any of the fair ones. 

So agile, nice and fair. 
Who are pert and prim, yet cold as stone, — 

To me they don't compare. 



Buds and Leaves 1 08 



Came from er Cbe Sea, 

A Song. 



By chance I met a pretty maid 

While strolling the levee 
And I loitered a while among the style, 

On the river by the sea. 

"Excuse me, miss, but pray do tell 
Where'er your home may be?" 

She smiled, a bright glance on me fell, 
Saying, "Way beyond the sea." 

She was one of nature's lovely girls, 
From a thousand that you see, 

With her ruby lips and fawn-like eyes, 
An elf, born of the sea. 

Her hair is of tlie darkest shade 

Of nut brown that we see 
In Flora's form and mould was made, 

And she came from o'er the sea. 

Our acquaintance soon became my light, 
She was brilliant, gay and free, 

She entwined-herself around my heart. 
While strolling by the sea. 

'Tis eighteen months since we were wed, 

A heaven it's been to me. 
And I bless the wind that God did send, 

That blew her o'er the sea. 



Buds and Leaves 



09 



Cell me fiow. 



-^> 



If good health your living in 

Tell me how ; 
Tis the thing I want within, 

Tell me how, 
So I can grow strong, fat and stout, 
And to my neighbors shout 
That the secret is just out, 

Tell me how. 

Many whims and pains to cure, 

Tell me how, 
So God's work I can endure,— 

Tell me how, 
So I can cover cheek and chin. 
Like a ghost be not so thin. 
Then Dame Fortune I may win, 

Tell me how. 

Give me the red bloom on my face, 

Tell me how. 
With a ready heart to race, 

Tell me how ; 
Where good blood I can find, 
That will brace and feed my mind. 
And my bones with muscle wind, 

Tell me how. 



Buds and Leaves 110 



I want hair kept on nw head, 

Tell me how ; 
With teeth that are not dead, 

Tell me how, — 
So beefsteak I csn chaw, 
Or gristly bone can gnaw, 
That will bulge my lanky maw, 

Tell me how. 



Like a wolf I want to eat, 

Tell me how ; 
That will keep me on my feet. 

Tell me how, 
So when bums and tramps I meet, 
I can bust their jaw so neat. 
That will teach them pure discreet. 

Tell me how. 



Then pure gall I ought to have, 

Tell me how. 
For at times I want -to rave. 

Tell me how ; 
So at the end-seat hog can stare, 
With a stony, ghastly glare, 
That will fairly lift his hair, 

Tell me how. 



Buds and Leaves I I 1 



St. Patrick. 



I am Irish you see, 

And I came from tra lee, 

And I travelled the county all round, der ye 

see? 
With a brogue just as sweet 
As any you meet, 
I'm an Irishman standing square up on my 

feet. 



St. Patrick was witty. 

And oh what a pity, 

That he could not have read so pleasing a 

ditty, 
Rut his time was all spent. 
To the green isle all lent, 
To save them from hell was just what he 

meant. 



Then here's to St. Patrick, 

That did that slick trick 

The snakes and toads from the sod banished 

quick ; 
His name may it shine. 
In every clime, 
^^ay the name of St. Patrick and Ireland 

combine. 



Buds and Leaves 1 1 2 



Reward. 



Lines sent to Miss B. M. Harrigan,Jan. 
3rd, igoj, for relieving the writer of a heavy 
bundle, cars being full, writer standing. 



A lady girl and one who dares, 
Though not very often found, 

From Lynn to Peabody in the cars, 
A generous act performed. 

The car was jammed from door to door, 

The seats were over-run 
With standing not on the floor. 

From straps the people hung. 

A man hung there with frosted hair, 

With bundle, coat and cane. 
And clutched, and gripped as in despair, — 

The bundle gave him pain. 

This lady girl soon saw the place, 

Relief she quickly gave. 
With the sweetest grace and smiling face, 

Of bundle did relieve. 

The act was gracious, brave and kind 
From an honest heart it sprung, 

Back may it come a thousand times. 
To bless this girl so young. 



Buds and Leaves 1 I 3 



And may God aid this friendly maid, 

Much pleasure may she see, 
May her life be wide acd smoothly made. 

And spread with flowers free. 



Innocence. 



A little mite blew in our way, 

With a reddish little nose. 
And snugly lay in a kittenish way, 

The wee-weest bit of a rose. 

All lace and fluft; and ribboned puff. 

With pinkish little toes, 
With olive skin just pink enough 

For the weest bit of a rose. 

A puff of breath and nothing more, 
Smothered in white clothes, 

Launched for a Hfe on this cold shore. 
Our weest bit of a rose. 

You would not know that she was there. 
So still with brown eyes closed, 

Yet with her lungs can do her share, 
Our weest bud of a rose. 

'Tis the birth of beauty, hope and love, 

And sunlight of the home. 
To ease the troubles that we have, 

If we but let alone. 



Buds and Leaves 1 1 4 



tm Kinds ot Beauty. 



I have heard it said, and with some truth, 
Of middle life, old age and youth, 
That to carry round a handsome face 
Is piize the best in fortune's lace. 

The strife of life is no soft cinch, 
'Tis resist and push with twist and pinch, 
And to give a wrench to the stoutest heait, 
A handsome face does well its part. 

But that lasting beauty one can possess. 
Lies not in face nor costly dress, 
But loving deeds that grow with time, 
With branch and bloom that always shine. 

There is a beauty in truthful eyes. 
And beauty with true courage flies, 
While the body moves with a graceful poise. 
There is beauty's grace in its velvet noise. 

In a handsome face you see it all, 
Stout or thin, short or tall. 
Like a picture every day the same, 
Nothing new you see to name. 

But in the heart of an honest soul. 
Where love, and truth, and honor roll. 
Fraternal rootlets spring and grow, 
And balmy blossoms round us throw. 



Buds and Leaves 1 1 5 



There's a beauty'oiily for the eye 

But like the dew it quickly dies, 

As the brilliant jbloom of a glorious flowers 

With its sweet aroma that lasts an hour; 



But a helping act, what some call kind. 
Plants deep a seed that is sure to find 
A spot to grow near some one's heart, 
Then handsome are they who do their part. 



Good and beauty are both the same, 
They differ only just in name. 
As a handsome face the eyes will please. 
So a right good soul life's flickers ease. 



The gentle one is a beauty sure, 

The kindly one is a beauty pure. 

The honest one gets beauty's prize. 

While the one with mercy is worth all praise. 



To be charitable and true is beauty sweet, 
To be constant with love will beauty keep. 
To have honor's roll in close control. 
Is the very body of beauty's soul. 



Buds and Leaves 



n Question. 

Are the pleasures of earth for the few? 

And the m'series hard for the many? 
Are there born a few with nothing to do, 

And the hardest of work for the many? 

Are there some who are born to be rirh, 
While others have not got any? 

Were some people born gold dollars to catch, 
While others catch only a pen'iy? 

Were some people born more able and strong, 
With brains more than a plenty? 

Does work of the weak belong to the strong. 
If brains they have not so many? 

Are there people grand to govern the land, 

And masters over the many? 
Were they made for riches all they can 
stand, , 

While poverty goes to the many? 

Are there some born that to heaven belong, 
And was hell made for the many? 

Are the chances along given the throng. 
Or are they against the mnny? 

Oh, no, no, no, do not talk so, 

.Chances are even if any. 
Time it will show, though ofttimes comes 
slow, 

There is favor shown never to any. 



Buds and Leaves 1 1 7 



Ben Show. 



Were you ever at a rooster's time, 
Which people call a show 

And hear the hens in cackle line 
And hear the cockerel's crow?" 



Then come all ye strong and healthy, 

That are old enough to sin, 
Come all, Doth poor and wealthy. 

And hear the cockerels sing. 

You'll see little bantam roosters, Spanish 

black and grim, 
You'll see colors of the rainbow all old 

earth can bring, 
Great, big Shanghai cockerels, and game so 

neat and trim, 
Who pipe in with their ditty when the 

cocks begin to sing. 



'Tis here the web foot gentry wobbles round 
in style, 
Red eyed, yellow beak, croaking all the 
while, 
While the rooster from the dunghill, pret- 
tiest bird of all. 
Swells his throat in anguish when the 
cocks begin to call. 



Buds and Leaves 1 18 



Here the turtle dove forever is cooing to 
his mate. 
While the pouter like a candle stands 
dead still and straight, 
And the pigeon that is common, kindly 
glances fling, 
Upon the stately cockerels when they 
begin to sing. 

'Tis scolding here, and cackle there, then 
cock-a-doodle-doo, 
The hen she loves the chickens, the 
rooster loves the two ; 
Then stand straight, stretch your neck, 
watch the passing by. 
And skip in on the finish when the cocks 
begin to cry. 

You hear quacking, cackling, hoarse, soft 
and fine, 
Squawking, screeching that bores your ears 
aflame. 
And the different mingled voices defeats the 
devil's horn. 
You never heard such a cussed noise since 
the hour you were born. 

I hear tell of Chinese fiddles, likewise the 
savage drum. 
The tom-tom of the Indian, the bull frog 
hoarse and grum. 
But to put one in a bug house and make 
him say a sin. 
Take him to a hen show when the birds 
begin to sing. 



Buds and Leaves 1 19 



They will puzzle him, befuddle him, make 

him plug his ears, 

They will freeze him, chill him, till fits ^ 

come from his fears, | 

He will feel both weak and weary his life \ 

away will fling, j 

If he wanders in a hen show when the j 

birds begin to sing. i 



Che BIRe. 

The silent horse that has no hair. 

Nor anything like fear. 
Who will not bite, kick, snort or shy 

No matter what is near. 

Steel ribbed he is with rubber shoes, 

And colors that are fine, 
And glittering bright with silver mane, 

And ready all the time. 

Standing still or on the road, 

Travelling fast or hard. 
He never breaks his gait or neighs. 

And never goes till tired. 

He's always kind with steady pace, 

And obedient to his rider, 
Night or day or in any way, 

He freely does his labor. 



Buds and Leaves 120 



No spur or whip, club or brad, 
You need this horse to drive, 

But a little oil and common wrench, 
And muscle that's alive. 

He rolls along in an easy way, 
And never tries to canter ; 

Modest and graceful in his way, 
With motion from the center. 

He is a horse that eats no hay, 

No oats nor any fodder, 
No brush or bedding, comb or robe, 

This oily horse to cover. 

His bones are forged and of the best 

Softly tempered steel. 
His joints are brazed so not to break 

His back on either wheel. 

He does not trot, gallop or run, 
Nor shake his head in anger, 

But glides along in a silent way. 
No matter what the danger. 

Then give us the bike, the silent. 
The hoise with noiseless tiead, 

Go hither or thither where you svill 
This horse is never afraid. 



Buds and Leaves 1 2 1 



StiaKy €ve$< 



Often have I heard the saying 

When playing with the boys, 
To be sure and keep a watching 

The one with snaky eyes. 

As a rule they're always changing, 

Always ill at ease, 
Forever somewhere fighting, 

The one with snaky eyes. 

They're ever bent on twisting, 

Some new thing for to raise, 
To shift and put and re-arrange, 

The one with snaky eyes. 

They are beyond the common bounds 

Of human that is wise. 
With starts they soon complete the rounds. 

The one with snaky eyes. 

If you should tell them something new 

You'll find you're not the size, 
Instead they'll soon be telling you, 

The one with snaky eyes. 

.And seldom do you trust them, 

If you can do otherwise. 
For they are always doing what is thin, 

The one with snaky eyes. 



Buds and Leaves 122 



H Rose. 



She's a blooming rose beyond her time, 

With charming golden hair, 
Her clothes are plain yet neat and fine, 

With a style you can't compare. 

Her eyes of amber, pale and gray 
With a waist both small and trim, 

A skin so fair snow don't compare, 
Its fairness beats my rhyme. 

Vivacious, gay, will have her way, 
No dark hours round her roam, 

She would queen a hive from day to day, 
Bring sunshine to your home. 



Stana By Vour UIDeel. 



Then shut your mouth and never squeal, 
Let hard times roar and rave. 

Stand by your wheel, 'twill make you feel 
That you your home will save. 

Then nature's God will help you stand, 

Hard times will blow away, 
The choicest blessings of the land, 

Will enlist with you to stay. 



Buds and Leaves 123 



free. 



With muscle I have paid my way, 
And eaten what I've earned, 

On no man have I lived one day, 
For Freedom first I learned. 



The world got all I had to give, 

And sure it was my best, 
To obey the laws I have dared to live, 

I care not for the rest. 

They may growl about my free belief, 

And pity my sad fall. 
But I'll never change to be a thief, 

For debts I pay in full. 

I eat the food that is the best, 
To give me bone and brawn, 

I wear my clothes not like the rest, 
My likes are all my own. 

No one I pay to think for me, 

Nor pick out what I get, 
My brains I use for me to see, 

And they never failed me yet. 

Health I want and friends, good friends, 
Though not for dollars bought. 

But they whose honor to justice trends, 
All others are but rot. 



Buds and Leaves 124 



iUhen Vou Die< 



There's a good time coming when you die, 
When you scoot way off beyond the sky, 
For you'll leave all your ills and shakes, 
And things some call mistakes, 
When the Lord your soul he takes, 
When you die. 



'Twill he pleasant then for you when you 

die, 
No more you'll tell a white or foxy lie. 
Of where you went or have been about. 
Be it in a bar room or without. 
Or for the future looking out, 
When you die. 



Oh how happy you will be when you die. 
No mother-in-law you'll see cold and sly. 
For of hell you have had enough. 
And have nad it rather tough, 
Now for heaven it's just the stuff, 
When you die. 



'Twill be a great relief when you die. 
For you cannot be a thief in the sky. 
And you cannot cheat nor swear. 
Nor of hypocrites be aware. 
There is not one of them up there, 
When you die. 



Buds and Leaves [23 



And how free you're going to be when you 

die, 
No croakers you will hear or their sighs, 
There will be no religious bores 
Who are bullish in their roars 
Behind these heavenly doors, 
When you die. 



What a soft snap you will have when you die, 
With no thoughts of wounds or sin haunting 

bv. 
You will cease your fearful dreams. 
Everything is what it seems, 
And you'll know just what it means. 
When you die. 



And you'll be so free from pain whei you 

die, 
No wounds you'll find within beyond the sky. 
For there's a doc that cures your ills. 
Without physic, squills or pills. 
And he never puts on frills, 
When you die. 



What a glorious time you'll have when you 

die, 
There's no clothes to bother with or buy. 
No darning socks you have to do, 
No holes to cover up from view. 
For they'll be forever new, 

When you die. 



Buds and Leaves 126 



From visions you'll be free when you die, 
And mysteries you will not see the reason 

nigh, 
The hidden fates you'll understand, 
That mean mysteries in this land, 
No doubt you'll join the band, 
When you die. 



Sorrow's thorns will pass you by when you 

die, 
Brutal scenes you never see with your eye, 
Nor hear groans from a tortured heart, 
That has tried to do it's part. 
Creeping on this earth so dark, 
When you die. 



And you'll have a glorious light when you 

die. 
With night you'll have no fight beyond the 

sky, 
For a brilliant light will glow 
Without gas or dynamo, 
From His throne the light will flow. 
When you die. 



There's no lamenting your hard luck when 

you die. 
Luck never changes there, no use to try, 
For you have all you can desire 
Without ownership or hire. 
For it's all good luck up there, 
When you die. 



Buds and Leaves 1 2 7 



There will be no tax to pay when you die, 
No note will there be due on a day, oh my. 
For debts there will be none, 
And they will let you quite alone, 
So there will be no one to shun, 
When you die. 

Oh what a change there will be when you 

die, 
No warm, warm bed to leave, you will cry. 
To build fires of wood or coal. 
When from your bed you sleepy roll. 
For it will be neither warm nor cold, 
When you die. 

You go to a world of joy when you die, 
From food, clothes and shoes you'll be shy. 
And you'll walk in clothes that's white, 
In a style that don't fit tight. 
With no colored dress in sight. 
When you die. 

What inviting walks you'll have when you 

die, 
No rain nor sun is there to blind your eye, 
And you'll walk on gold paved roads 
Where there are neither snakes nor toads. 
And no dust to soil your robes, 
When you die. 



Buds and Leaves 1 28 



Salem $ Beauty. 

Say, have you heard the latest news, 

Flirting round so free. 
That is heard in Lynn and Salem, 

Marblehead and Beverly? 

'Tis heard on the street and in the stores, 

From many that you meet, 
Of the very many pretty girls 

Seen on Essex btreet. 

With their fluffy hair and roguish hats, 

And dress like negligee, 
That hangs in graceful witching pleats 

On pretty forms, they say. 

Tall and supple, they're neat and trim, 

xMost of them that we see, 
With a slight moist suspicion of a 

Wailful air that's free. 

You will easy know the Ijcauties 

As they are drifting by, 
With a free and easy, graceful step, 

A bright and glinting eye. 

With a catchy pose they float along, 

And bewitching they appear, 
Oh, you can not beat the Salem girls, 

Look afar or near. 



Buds and Leaves 1 29 



Is there one man in all this land 1 

Who saunters along Essex street j 

Who is not pleased at a scene so grand \ 

And the beauty there to meet? , 



VVith silk and lace, and satin bands, 
And perfume ah I so sweet, 

With the natural girlish graces seen 
On good old Essex street. 



Lift high your hats, you gallant men. 
To the beauties of this town. 

For Salem's packed with pretty girls 
And some of much renown. 



You chivalrous men seem dozing 

Or turning into stone. 
To see this ebbing tide of sunshine 

On this grand old street alone. 



Then brush your hats, glaze your shoes, 
Drift down this stream in thought. 

For these waters hold as good a fish. 
As ever there was caught. 



And bait your hook with reason, 
Good manners have in hand, 

With floating courtesy for a bob, 
A dimpled fish you'll land. 



Buds and Leaves 1 30 



Jewish faWr. 

Oh lock the door, bolt the door, 

Don't you hear the cry, 
There's a fakir Jew a-coming, 

And he's sailing danger nigh, 
With his wiles and his lies, 

And his needles, thread and ties ; 
He will pinch your very stockings 

Right before your eyes. 

He will fester you, and pester you. 

And open every pore, 
He will nag you, and tag you, 

And make you very sore ; 
He will tease you, squeeze you 

Like a sanctimonious bore ; 
So people all hear my call, 

Don't let him on the floor. 

He sells things, yes, all things 

From a walrus to a louse. 
Pig pens, shanties, 

To a greal big lodging house ; 
And he does it in a manner 

That is both tight and loose. 
And to defend yourself with reason, 

Oh Lord, it is no use. 



Buds and Leaves 1 3 1 



He will ahem and ahavv, 

And jerk his shoulders high, 
Then tilt his head and slant his hands, 

And look so very sly. 
He will palaver you and plaster you 

Until you're near to die, 
Then with a soft insertive voice 

Will ask you for to buy. 

He's a bird of many colors, 

And feathered to the toes ; 
He's a bunch of faded flowers 

From where, no one knows ; 
He's a la-ta-da, kiss me ma. 

And fan me with a straw, 
And he will pluck your rhino 

And leave you very raw. 

Don't foster him but throttle him, 

And drive him from your door ; 
Bang him, whack him 

Till he comes round no more : 
For a gilt-edge subterfuge 

And diamond studded He, 
The fakir Jew takes the cake, — 

Flour barrel and pie. 

As a squeezer, he's a dandy 

If you're a lemon prime, 
As an honest man of virtue 

Before you he will shine ; 
But when you try to figure, 

A sure thing sure you'll know, 
That you have paid your money. 

And your cake it is all dough. 



Buds and Leaves 1 32 



Jfutomobiles. 



'Tis said that autos run too fast, 
By some who would go slow, 

Yet few there are who don't slip past 
When they have the gimp to go. 

We live in an age of science, 

And walking is too slow, 
For naphtha, steam and lightning 

Have just begun to grow. 

We do not want the oxcart. 

But something that is late. 
Nor the two-horse 'bus of years ago, 

But an auto up-to-date. 

Then brace up you young inventors. 
Your brains they must not rust, 

You must build a machine to get there, 
Not double up and bust. 

It matters not the kind of power, 

But give it to us great, 
That will drive along and go it strong, 

And never to be late. 

Oh, yes, we'll surely get there. 

Just wait a little while. 
Till our autos are more perfect. 

Then see us do a mile. 



Buds and Leaves 1 3 3 



We'll shove that record far behind, 
For ancient it has grown, 

We'll try to make a new one 
And so call time our own. 

Just twist the throttle open, 
Ah ! see her crawl and skip, 

We are clawing at old distance 
With neither spur nor whip. 

We are done with whipping torture, 
With hills and rain and sand, 

And so emancipate the horse 
And whirl across the land. 



Che flutomobllist. 

When men meet men in commerce. 

Each crowds to get ahead. 
To the rule of timid slowness. 

They give but little heed. "* 

1 

■\ 
They know success is waiting ' i 

And they try to push right in, 

With brains and pluck and a little luck, j 

The quick is sure to win. i 

] 

He will get the bunch of jewels, j 

That is waiting at the top, ! 

While he who's slow will trail along, I 

Holding hard on hope. I 



Buds and Leaves 1 34 



And so it is upon the road 

With auto, horse or bike, 
You'll find the live man in the lead, 

Dust he will not take. 

He reasons right to get there, 
And live things does employ, 

I'he end, 'tis said, defends the means, 
Then he the fruits enjoy. 

To be always in the vanguard. 

And never lag behind, 
To be up and on and way along, 

Is the best thing of its kind. 

Then let the auto snore along, 
While sleepy ones stand by. 

Yes, let the vigorous have the lead. 
Slow ones will not try. 

Their speed will then be common. 

And people will not sigh, 
To see the auto skip along 

As frisky as a fly. 

We cannot drive the auto ofi', 

'Tis come with us to stay, 
'Twill beat the best of horses 

A hundred miles a day. 

They help the human thought along, 
And keep up with the times. 

For the auto is the best to date 
Product of human brains. 



Buds and Leaves 1 35 



fortune. 



Oh why should I bemoan the way 

That Fortune leads me on, 
Or ask her to explain and say 

Why she helps me through the throng. 

She brings me sorrow, sighs and tears. 

While pleasure flits away. 
And has done it now for sixty years, 

And is doing it today. 

To Fortune flit I have to bow. 

For surely she knows best. 
The things we need to make us grov/. 

In goodness to get rest. 

'Tis right she keeps us in the dark, 

The future from our eyes, 
And only lets us watch and hark. 

To see it slowly rise. 

At times she sinks me deep in woe, 

1 think my heart will break. 
Then a ray of pleasure at me throw, 

To prevent a hr.man wreck. 



'Tis up and down, cold and hot. 

My spirit seems to die. 
Hard, hard indeed appears my lot, 

And oh, I know not why. 



Buds and Leaves 1 36 



money €noudb. 



Of lands and houses I have none, 

And little or no wealth, 
Of dollars good I have but one, 

And still have much of health. 

From poverty's desperate chase not free, 

For the wolf is running by, 
Watching sharp his chance to see 

Something to make shy. 

To keep on earth I have enough, 

A bit to give the poor, 
My life at times a little rough. 

Who then can have much more ? 

The God that gave me soul and brain. 

Knows well what I can do, 
So gives me what the earth contains. 

Enough to make me true. 

I envy not the wealth you have, 

Or the easy way you live. 
For after life alike we'll thiive, 

And neither will have to strive. 

'Tis said that roses have their thorns. 

And every good a bad, 
So wealth, 'tis said, breathes many moans, 

That poverty never had. 



Buds and Leaves 1 3 7 



Some think it nice no work to do, 

Or muscle to exert, 
Yet God and nature work you know. 

And never yet i^ot hurt. 



The Maker's greater than what's made, 

I think you'll all agree, 
Yet the poor make wealth with muscle trade. 

And support it well you see. 



Then why should wealth feel so proud, 

Above its Maker's place, 
As with manner cold and action loud. 

Glares in its Maker's face. 



Ah me, at last what have we found? 

'Tis true, too true, alas, 
The Maker by His own chain bound, 

With fetters forged in brass. 



J 
A living, then, good mother Earth, \ 

Is all I need or ask, ; 

No power nor wealth, but simple health, 

That stays me to the last. I 



Buds and Leaves I 38 



earth's Lmtst, mm man. 

The lowest, meanest man to live, 

And pestiferous to his kind, 
Is the one to fat on the family thrive, 

When married weaklings find. 

A trite, repulsive, putrid spawn. 

Corrupt in every pore, 
With every speck of honor flown, 

A stink at every door. 

Human thought in greatest roam. 

This reptile cannot name. 
So far beneath the average man. 

He shuts their mouths with shame. 

Of rotten lies he has them pat, 
And licks where others spin, 

xAt the bitterest sorrow smacks his chops, 
And smiles at darkest sin. 

Despised, diseased, decrepit wretch, 

With wizened, snaky soul. 
With basest passions on the watch. 

Innocence to control. 

In a cowardly way he creeps between 

The family's holy ties, 
Then wherever his slimy head is seen 

You see a mass of lies. 



Buds and Leaves 1 39 



A parasite of human strife, 

A mongrel to extreme, 
So low he can't support a wife, 

From rat to wolf between. 

He has a black and hardened heart. 

Nay ray of pity show, 
In causing -fathers and mothers to part, 

Marriage laws o'erthrow. 

He's a menace to the household, 

A Judas ten in one, 
A cursed curse we all are told. 

Him we all should shun. 

Like hens among the flowers, 

And pigs among the corn, 
He works when darkness covers, 

Good flies where'er he's born. 

Has murdered many a family. 
Send him a murderer's end. 

With devils in their country. 
In a way he can't return. 

Then watch this cruel-hearted thug, 

If family you'd enjoy. 
Don't let him at your heart-strings tug, 

And then your homes destroy. 



Buds and Leaves 1 40 



Bwrv me as 1 Desire. 



^^:> 



Now the dark wing sweep is o'er me flung 
And I my last good song have sung ; 
Enough, I say, for I'm all in, 
I have had on earth and its tinsel fling. 

And now for the next will make a try, 
Without tear or groan, or sorrowing cry, 
And I leave this life without a fear, 
Where by chance, not sense, I've lived 
many's the year. 

I make this change at death's stern call, 
' lis a matter sure that catches all ; 
But before I go and while I'm well, 
A request to all I want to tell. 

I will say it plain, don't misunderstand, 
'Tis my last favor and no command. 
When at life's end dressed in my best, 
Cremate me to an ashen dust. 

Then give one child my ashes all, 
Who will hold and keep, and not let fall. 
And spill and scatter all around. 
So my body nowhere can be found. 



Buds and Leaves 1 4 1 



Now one thing more, and don't fail me, 
That when I'm changed or from Hfe gone 

free, 
And dressed in my best as for the grave. 
Let no strange eyes see me, save 

My own blood, I mean my family all ; 
Let no curious folks that for odd scenes call, 
Muse strangely o'er me or hold a wake, 
For their faces long are but a fake. 

For I will look my worst in death's cold 

fold. 
Wizened, wrinkled, yellow and old ; 
Let those who saw me at my best, 
Think of me the same when I take my rest. 

I care not the twist of common say, 
Let them talk, 'tis right I have my way ; 
My form has gone along time's track. 
Dark and alone, will not come back. 

Where shamed Time hides her forms from 

sight, 
In one eternal, never-ending night : 
And my soul, ah yes, yet have I one? 
I was told I had, though perhaps for fun. 

Yet I never tasted, smelt, felt or saw, 

And to prove the story on what could I 

draw? 
Unknown to me I climbed life's crooked 

fence. 
Unknown to me is what I'll climb hence. 



Buds and Leaves 142 



One cannot work while deep in sleep, 
Nor climb a hill before the hill you meet, 
Nor is wisdom seen from stupid eyes. 
Nor yet get rain from clear blue skies. 

This is my cue and here take stand, 
Between follies, pleasure and an unknown 

land, 
I came by chance and by chance I die. 
Let the wise and old determine why. 

No flower banks have round my bier. 
For they make things sad instead good cheer, 
A withered leaf would be a happy thought, 
Placed on my breast when I drift out. 

I want no prayers nor blessing o'er me said, 
For my poor soul when I am dead. 
For I came by changes to all unknown. 
And I go by changes and all alone. 

I have lived my life the best I knew. 
And hunted hard the right to do ; 
I have changed and twisted every way. 
To keep anger down and honest debts to 
pay. 

And so long years have come and died, 
\vhile I my faults have tried to hide, 
And honest life, though without fame, 
I have tried to live yet always tame. 

So good-by all, such is the way of life, 
Wrangle, wrangle, strife, strife, strife, 
'Tis but a step from birth to grave, 
And that we spend in a great wild rave. 



DEC 31 iaOu 



LIBRARY OF CUN^r 



015 873 543 A 



